By Mr. Walsh of Lynn, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1768) of Steven M. Walsh and others relative to reducing domestic violence in the Commonwealth.  The Judiciary.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Steven M. Walsh

Kathi-Anne Reinstein

James B. Eldridge

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act to reduce domestic violence in the Commonwealth.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 265 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 13L, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, the following section:-

Section 13M. Whoever commits assault or assault and battery on a family or household member shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2 ½ years or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years. For the purposes of this section, “family or household member” shall be limited to persons who, on the date of the offense or within 5 years before the date of the offense: (a) are or were married to one another; (b) are or were residing together in the same household; (c) are or were related by blood or marriage; (d) have a child in common regardless of whether they have ever married or lived together; or (e) are or have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship, which shall be determined by considering the following factors: (1) the length of time of the relationship; (2) the type of relationship; (3) the frequency of interaction between the parties; and (4) if the relationship has been terminated by either person, the length of time elapsed since the termination of the relationship.