HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2937        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1751

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to abuse prevention..

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. Section 3 of chapter 209A of the General Laws of Massachusetts is hereby amended by adding the following therein:— The officer shall provide written and/or aural notice of local domestic violence hotlines, services and shelters that have available beds.  This information should be provided in a way that accommodates the victim(s); when possible, translation services shall be provided.

            SECTION 2. Section 4 of Chapter 209A of the General Laws of Massachusetts is hereby amended by adding to the sixth paragraph after the words “You may also request that the officer assist you in locating and taking you to a safe place, including but not limited to a designated meeting place for a shelter or a family member’s or a friend’s residence, or a similar place of safety”, the following therein:— The officer shall provide written and/or aural notice of local domestic violence shelters that have available beds.  This information should be provided in a way that accommodates the victim(s); when possible, translation services shall be provided.