Bill > H1702

This bill aims to improve protections for sexual assault survivors in several ways: 1. It expands the types of criminal offenses that can be the basis for a harassment prevention order under Chapter 258E of the Massachusetts General Laws to include additional sexual assault and abuse-related crimes, such as rape, indecent assault and battery, and human trafficking. 2. It allows courts to order the immediate suspension and surrender of a defendant's firearms licenses and firearms when issuing a temporary or emergency harassment prevention order, if the plaintiff demonstrates a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse. This includes a process for the defendant to petition the court for review of the firearm surrender order. 3. It authorizes courts to award monetary compensation to plaintiffs for losses suffered as a direct result of the harassment, including lost earnings, medical expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees. 4. It allows courts to order possession, care, and control of any domesticated animal owned by the parties or their household in certain protective order cases, and requires law enforcement to take action on outstanding warrants for violations of such orders if the court finds an imminent threat of bodily injury to a person or animal.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1702