H.R. 8733 — Melanie's Law

This section establishes a grant program within the Office of Justice Programs to support states that enact Melanie’s Law protective order authorities, which extend jurisdiction to issue and enforce protective orders protecting individuals related by blood or marriage to those in intimate relationships. It authorizes grants for law enforcement and court training, service of process, protective order tracking systems, specialized units, and victim services including legal aid, shelters, counseling, and relocation assistance, with up to 75 percent of funds allocated by population-based formula (minimum 0.5 percent per state) and 22 percent competitively.