The bill amends Section 60.1 of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act to include a new definition for "coercive control," which encompasses various forms of abusive behavior such as isolation, deprivation of necessities, monitoring of movements and communications, and threats of violence or sexual nature. Additionally, the bill updates the definitions of "dating relationship," "domestic abuse," "family or household members," "harassment," "intimate partner," "living in the same household," "mutual protective order," "rape," "stalking," and introduces a new term, "victim support person." These changes aim to clarify and expand the legal framework surrounding domestic abuse and related offenses.

The bill also includes deletions of outdated language and statutory references to ensure consistency and relevance in the definitions provided. The effective date for these amendments is set for November 1, 2026. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the legal protections for victims of domestic abuse by providing clearer definitions and a more comprehensive understanding of abusive behaviors.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-60.1