An Act to protect victims of coercive control

This bill amends Massachusetts law to formally recognize "coercive control" as a form of abuse under existing domestic violence protections. It directly affects family members, household members, and former partners by expanding legal definitions to include behaviors such as isolating victims, monitoring their movements or communications, controlling finances, and threatening them regarding immigration status or animal cruelty. The legislation provides a clearer legal framework for courts to address patterns of intimidation and domination that may not fit traditional definitions of physical assault. By adding these specific actions to the list of prohibited behaviors, the bill aims to offer better legal recourse for individuals experiencing non-physical but harmful controlling tactics.