HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1729        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1484

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act to provide certain information to victims of domestic violence..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 209A, section 6, subsection (4) of the General Laws is hereby amended by deleting, in line 23, the word 'statement' and inserting in place thereof the word 'statements'.

SECTION 2. Chapter 209A, section 6, subsection (4) of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 58 at the end thereof, the following text:

      "The officer shall also provide the victim with a pamphlet which includes, but is not limited to, a checklist with questions which identify a person as a victim or a perpetrator of domestic abuse, and which provides the following information:

(a) the name, address and phone number of at least three shelters within the area which provide services to victims of domestic abuse;

(b) the name, address and phone number of at least three domestic violence programs within the area which provide counseling services to batterers;

(c) the name, address and phone number of at least three programs within the area which provide drug and alcohol counseling services;

(d) the name, address and phone number of a domestic violence hotline and/or legal services; and

     (e) an explanation of a 209A restraining order and of victim compensation;

Each phone number in a-d, above, shall be accompanied by a graphic which symbolizes the service offered by the agency. The officer shall leave a copy of the foregoing statements with such person(s) before leaving the scene or premises.

      SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.