Comprehensive Domestic Violence Bill Signed into Law

August 11, 2014

On Friday, August 8^th, with no fanfare, Governor Patrick signed S.2334 into law, with no amendments.  The comprehensive DV bill is now Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2014.  Thanks to Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Therese Murray, Attorney General Martha Coakley and all the legislators who worked so hard to pass this landmark legislation.  Thanks too to our JDI member programs and all of you for sharing the stories, contacting your legislators, and advocating for justice.

Among the 43 provisions are JDI's four top priorities: employment leave for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking; creation of strangulation and suffocation offense; exemption of domestic violence cases from accord and satisfaction agreements; and creation of the offense of assault and battery of a family or household member.  Together these provisions will improve our victim-centered response to sexual and domestic violence.  Requiring larger employers to provide individuals with workplace leave to address victim needs after sexual or domestic violence will assist with economic security. Criminal justice measures will more strongly hold offenders accountable.

There’s much work to be done to now implement many of these provisions as well as advocate for the necessary funding to make it possible.  So stay tuned!