SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2210 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1097
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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 relative to coercive control.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
Patrick M. O'Connor | First Plymouth and Norfolk |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2210 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1097
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1097) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to domestic abuse prevention. The Judiciary. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to coercive control.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Chapter 209A of the general laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended in section 1 by striking the definition of “Abuse” and replacing it with the following:-
''Abuse'', the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between family, intimate partners, or household members:
(a) attempting to cause or causing physical harm;
(b) placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm;
(c) causing another to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat or duress;
(d) coercive control, which is a pattern of behavior that in purpose or effect unreasonably interferes with a person’s free will and personal liberty. Examples of coercive control include, but are not limited to, unreasonably engaging in any of the following:
(1) isolating the other party from friends, relatives, or other sources of support;
(2) depriving the other party of basic necessities;
(3) controlling, regulating, or monitoring the other party’s movements, communications, daily behavior, finances, economic resources, or access to services;
(4) compelling the other party by force, threat of force, or intimidation, including threats based on actual or suspected immigration status, to engage in conduct from which the other party has a right to abstain or to abstain from conduct in which the other party has a right to engage.