SECTION 1. Chapter 208 of the General laws is hereby amended by strikeout out section 12 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 12.

(a) For purposes of this section, “principal residence” means the home where a person resides or intends to reside as the primary dwelling; provided, however, that no person shall hold concurrent rights in more than 1 principal residence.

(b) Upon an action for divorce by either spouse for a cause accruing after marriage, the real and personal property of the other spouse may be attached to secure suitable support and maintenance to the plaintiff and to such children as may be committed to his care and custody; provided, however, real property that serves as the principal residence for either spouse’s dependent child under 18 years of age may not be attached.

SECTION 2. Said chapter 208 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 34A the following section:-

Section 34A ½.

(a) For purposes of this section, “principal residence” means the home where a person resides or intends to reside as the primary dwelling; provided, however, that no person shall hold concurrent rights in more than 1 principal residence.

(b)Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, upon divorce or upon a complaint in an action brought at any time after a divorce, whether such a divorce has been adjudged in the commonwealth or another jurisdiction, a court of the commonwealth, shall not order, adjudge or direct a party to sell, convey or release any real estate that serves as the principal residence for a party’s dependent child under 18 years of age.