1. Filing; police report. Any A person who has been a victim of harassment, including a business, may seek relief by filing a sworn petition complaint in an appropriate court alleging that harassment.

Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §4653, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 515, §1, is amended to read:

2. Assistance. The court shall provide separate forms with a summons and clerical assistance to assist either party to proceed under this chapter in completing and filing a petition complaint or other necessary documents. This assistance shall may not include legal advice or assistance in drafting legal documents.

Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §4654, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 515, §1, is amended to read:

1. Full hearing; alternative dispute resolution. Within 21 days of the filing of a petition, a A hearing shall must be held at which the plaintiff shall prove the allegation of harassment by a preponderance of the evidence.

Sec. 5. 5 MRSA §4654, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1995, c. 650, §4, is further amended to read:

2. Temporary orders. The court may enter any temporary orders, authorized under subsection 4, without written or oral notice to the defendant or the defendant's attorney if:

A. It appears clearly from a verified petition complaint or an affidavit accompanying the petition complaint that:

(1) Before the defendant or the defendant's attorney can be heard, the plaintiff or the plaintiff's employees may be in immediate and present danger of physical abuse from the defendant or in immediate and present danger of suffering extreme emotional distress as a result of the defendant's conduct, or the plaintiff's business property is in immediate and present danger of suffering substantial damage as a result of the defendant's actions;

(2) Either the plaintiff has or has not contacted any law enforcement officials concerning the alleged harassment; and