Rule 37 - Child Protective orders(a) Child protective order proceedings are governed by Utah Code Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 1, General Provisions and Part 2, Child Protective Orders. Protective order proceedings may be commenced as an independent action by filing a petition. Any interested person may file a petition for a protective order on behalf of a child as provided by statute. The petitioner shall first make a referral to the division. If an immediate ex parte protective order is requested pending a hearing, the petition or an accompanying affidavit shall set forth the facts constituting good cause for issuance of the ex parte order.(b) If the petitioner is the agent of a public or private agency, including a law enforcement agency, the petition shall set forth the agent's title and the name of the agency that the petitioner represents. (c) Petitions for protective orders by a public agency shall not be accepted by the clerk unless reviewed and approved by the attorney for the public agency, whose office shall represent the petitioner in such cases.(d) If the court finds in the hearing that the allegations of the petition have been established, the court may assess petitioner's costs and attorney fees against the respondent. If the court finds that the petition is without merit, the respondent's costs and attorney fees may be assessed against petitioner.(e) If an ex parte order has been issued, the hearing must be held within 21 days. Amended February 23, 2018 , effective 5/1/2018; amended effective 1/19/2022.