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.
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