Bill > S848

This bill proposes to amend Section 20 of Chapter 233 of the General Laws, which deals with spousal immunity, by replacing the existing second paragraph with new language. The key change is that neither a husband nor a wife will be forced to testify in a grand jury, trial, or any pre-trial or post-trial hearing related to a criminal case against their spouse, with specific exceptions. These exceptions include situations covered by Section 7 of Chapter 273 and any proceeding concerning child abuse, including incest. This means that while spouses generally cannot be compelled to testify against each other in criminal matters, this protection does not apply in cases involving child abuse or incest, or in other specific circumstances outlined in a different section of the law.