An Act relative to coercive control

This bill amends Massachusetts law to formally define "abuse" within domestic violence cases to include coercive control alongside physical harm and threats. It specifically targets family, intimate partners, and household members by recognizing a pattern of behavior that unreasonably interferes with a person's free will and personal liberty. The legislation provides concrete examples of such control, including isolating a victim from support networks, restricting access to finances or necessities, and monitoring daily movements or communications. By updating the legal definition, the bill aims to ensure that courts can address non-physical tactics used to dominate and restrict another person's life.