SENATE DOCKET, NO. 778        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1816

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act providing for reciprocal service for restraining orders.

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. The Secretary of Public Safety and the Secretary of Administration and Finance are hereby authorized and directed to design a multi-state compact providing for the reciprocal service by and between the signatory states of the orders issued pursuant to those provided for in Chapter 209A of the General Laws, and similar orders issued in accordance with the laws of signatory states to said compact;  provided further, that said Secretaries are authorized and directed to initiate negotiations with potential signatory states, including but not limited to New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York; provided further that any said compact shall at a minimum provide for the service of such orders without cost to the issuing state, and shall require ratification by the Legislature and Governor of any signatory state.