The bill amends existing laws regarding restraining orders in relation to hate crimes. It updates the definitions of "Court" and "Harassment" in Section 1 of chapter 258E of the General Laws. The new definition of "Court" includes various departments of the trial court, while "Harassment" is defined as three or more acts of malicious conduct aimed at a specific person, including acts that cause fear or intimidation based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Additionally, it specifies acts that involve force or threats to engage in sexual relations or violate certain sections of chapter 265.

Furthermore, the bill modifies Section 39 of chapter 265 by changing the punishment for committing assault or battery with the intent to intimidate based on the victim's or their immediate family member's characteristics, establishing a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years. It also clarifies the definition of "immediate family member" to include various familial relationships such as spouse, child, sibling, and grandparent. These changes aim to strengthen protections against hate crimes and ensure that victims have access to appropriate legal recourse.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 258E-1, 265-39