MA S1147

Creates new Chapter 258G establishing civil legal protections for victims whose debts were incurred through identity theft, fraud, duress, coercion, or manipulation by family members, household members, or caretakers

Requires creditors to cease collection efforts, dismiss pending lawsuits, return payments, and request deletion of credit reporting information within 10 business days when a debtor submits a Statement of Debt incurred through Economic Abuse along with adequate documentation

Establishes that debtors are not liable for debts incurred through economic abuse and may raise this as a defense in any legal proceeding, with the burden shifting to creditors to disprove the claim

Allows damages of up to $5,000 per individual (indexed for inflation) against creditors who violate the law's requirements, plus actual damages, attorney's fees, and punitive damages for willful violations

Effective date of January 1, 2026, with the Attorney General required to publish a model form in English and Spanish within 180 days of enactment