SENATE DOCKET, NO. 444        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1853

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to restraining orders involving non-family members..

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 19 of chapter 218 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:-

The Boston municipal court and district court departments shall further have original jurisdiction in equity concurrent with the superior court to enjoin one person from inflicting abuse upon another person. "Abuse" shall mean (a) attempting to cause or causing physical harm, or (b) placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm. This paragraph shall not apply to matters in which the parties are (a) family or household members, pursuant to chapter 209A of the General Laws, (b) landlord and tenant, or (c) employer and employee.