Bill > H432

This bill amends Chapter 265 of the General Laws to establish stricter penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders by modifying Section 13M. It clarifies that "family or household members" includes individuals who are or were married, living together, related by blood, share a child, or have been in a substantial dating or engagement relationship, with specific factors to determine the latter. For a first offense of assault or assault and battery against a domestic violence victim, the penalty remains up to 2.5 years in jail or a $1,000 fine. However, for defendants with two prior convictions for domestic violence or related offenses (including violations of Chapter 209A, which deals with domestic violence prevention), the mandatory minimum sentence increases to 180 days, with no possibility of parole, probation, or sentence reduction until 90 days are served, and the court must order completion of a batterer's intervention program unless good cause is shown. For three prior convictions, the mandatory minimum sentence becomes one year, with no possibility of parole, probation, or sentence reduction until that year is served. For four or more prior convictions, the mandatory minimum sentence becomes two years, with no possibility of parole, probation, or sentence reduction until those two years are served.