(a) Law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce orders issued under this subchapter.

(b) Violation of an order issued under this subchapter may be prosecuted as a criminal contempt under Rule 42 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure. The prosecution for criminal contempt may be initiated by the State's Attorney in the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county which issued the order. The maximum penalty which may be imposed under this subsection shall be a fine of $1,000.00 or imprisonment for six months, or both. A sentence of imprisonment upon conviction for criminal contempt may be stayed in the discretion of the Court pending the expiration of the time allowed for filing notice of appeal or pending appeal if any appeal is taken. (Added 1991, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238.)