This bill aims to enhance the protection of victims of stalking by amending existing laws related to abuse and harassment prevention orders. Specifically, it modifies Section 7 of chapter 209A and Section 9 of chapter 258E of the General Laws. The amendments require that the appropriate law enforcement agency responsible for notifying the defendant must also inform the victim about the status of temporary or permanent abuse and harassment prevention orders. This includes notifications when an order has been successfully served, when it has not been served within 12 hours and subsequently every 24 hours until service is completed, and when an order has expired or become ineffective.

By ensuring that victims are kept informed about the status of their protection orders, the bill seeks to empower them and enhance their safety. The new provisions aim to provide timely updates that can help victims understand the effectiveness of the legal protections in place and take necessary precautions if an order is not served or has lapsed.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 209A-7, 258E-9