An Act relative to protecting domestic violence victims
This bill amends Massachusetts trespassing laws to strengthen protections for homeowners. It requires anyone illegally entering a dwelling (home, building, or vehicle) to immediately retreat if they discover occupants - failure to retreat forfeits their right to sue for injuries. Key provisions include: a mandatory 5-year prison sentence for illegal entries where minors are present, and life imprisonment or 20+ years for armed entries causing injury or using force. Note: While titled "protecting domestic violence victims," the bill focuses on criminalizing trespassers' actions, not directly addressing domestic violence cases.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Last action Mar 26, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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