Bill > H2043

This bill aims to enhance protections for victims of stalking by modifying existing Massachusetts laws to improve notification procedures for abuse and harassment prevention orders. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to notify victims under three specific circumstances: (1) when a temporary or permanent order has been successfully served to the defendant, (2) when an order has not been successfully served within 12 hours of receipt, with follow-up notifications every 24 hours until service is complete (including explaining the potential impact on the order's validity), and (3) when an order has expired or become ineffective. Additionally, the bill makes technical amendments to existing statutes related to criminal offenses, specifically expanding language in section 43 of chapter 265 to include references to harassment prevention orders and broadening the scope of related legal provisions. These changes are designed to provide victims with more timely and comprehensive information about the status of protective orders, which can help them better understand their legal protection and take appropriate safety precautions.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2043