SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1732        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1014

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Diana DiZoglio

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act specifying controlling or coercive behavior as domestic abuse.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Diana DiZoglio

First Essex


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1732        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1014

By Ms. DiZoglio, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1014) of Diana DiZoglio for legislation to specify controlling or coercive behavior as domestic abuse.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act specifying controlling or coercive behavior as domestic abuse.

 

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 1 of chapter 209A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting in the definition of “Abuse” the following:-

(d) repeated or continuous engagement in behavior that is controlling or coercive, which causes the recipient of the behavior: (i) to fear, on at least two occasions, that violence will be used against the recipient, or (ii) serious alarm or distress which has a substantial adverse effect on the recipient’s usual day-to-day activities, and which the perpetrator of the behavior knows or ought to know will cause the recipient such fear, alarm or distress.