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MA H1594
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/27/2025
Primary Sponsor
Natalie Blais
Click for details
AI Summary
- Creates new Chapter 209E in Massachusetts General Laws to allow victims of domestic abuse or harassment to request court orders restricting "controlling and abusive litigation" filed by their abusers
- Defines controlling and abusive litigation as legal actions between current/former family or household members where one party has been found to have committed abuse, and the litigation is primarily intended to harass, intimidate, or maintain contact with the victim
- Authorizes courts to dismiss abusive litigation with prejudice and impose prefiling restrictions for 48-72 months, requiring the restricted party to obtain judicial permission before filing any new cases against the protected party
- Requires the abusive litigant to pay all costs including court fees, lost wages, transportation, childcare, and the victim's reasonable attorney fees
- Protected parties have no obligation to respond to pleadings filed in violation of a restriction order, and courts may dismiss such filings on their own motion
Legislative Description
Relative to controlling and abusive litigation
Last Action
Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
10/20/2025
Committee Referrals
Judiciary2/27/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available