Chapter 258E

Section 1. As used in this chapter the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:- ''Abuse'', attempting to cause or causing physical harm to another or placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm. ''Harassment…

Section 10. The records of cases arising out of an action brought under this chapter in which the plaintiff or defendant is a minor shall be withheld from public inspection except by order of the court; provided, however, that such records shall be open, at all reasonable times, …

Section 11. The chief justice of the trial court shall adopt a form of complaint for use under this chapter which shall be in such form and language to permit a plaintiff to prepare and file such complaint pro se.

Section 12. The court shall impose an assessment of $350 against any person who has been referred to a treatment program as a condition of probation. Such assessment shall be in addition to the cost of the treatment program. In the discretion of the court, such assessment may be …

Section 2. Proceedings under this chapter shall be filed, heard and determined in the superior court department or the respective divisions of the district court department or the Boston municipal court department having venue over the plaintiff's residence. The juvenile court de…

Section 3. (a) A person suffering from harassment may file a complaint in the appropriate court requesting protection from such harassment. A person may petition the court under this chapter for an order that the defendant: (i) refrain from abusing or harassing the plaintiff, whe…

Section 4. Upon the filing of a complaint under this chapter, a complainant shall be informed that the proceedings hereunder are civil in nature and that violations of orders issued hereunder are criminal in nature. Further, a complainant shall be given information prepared by th…

Section 4A. Upon issuance of a temporary or emergency order under sections 5 or 6, the court shall, if the plaintiff demonstrates a substantial likelihood of immediate danger of harassment, order the immediate suspension and surrender of any license to carry or firearm identifica…

Section 4B. Upon the continuation or modification of an order issued pursuant to section 5 or upon petition for review as described in section 4A, the court shall also order or continue to order the immediate suspension and surrender of a defendant's license to carry or firearm i…

Section 4C. Upon an order for suspension or surrender issued pursuant to sections 4A or 4B, the court shall transmit a report containing the defendant's name and identifying information and a statement describing the defendant's alleged conduct and relationship to the plaintiff t…

Section 5. Upon the filing of a complaint under this chapter, the court may enter such temporary orders as it deems necessary to protect a plaintiff from harassment, including relief as provided in section 3. If the plaintiff demonstrates a substantial likelihood of immediate dan…

Section 6. When the court is closed for business or the plaintiff is unable to appear in court because of severe hardship due to the plaintiff's physical condition, the court may grant relief to the plaintiff as provided under section 5 if the plaintiff demonstrates a substantial…

Section 7. Any protection order issued by another jurisdiction shall be given full faith and credit throughout the commonwealth and enforced as if it were issued in the commonwealth for as long as the order is in effect in the issuing jurisdiction. A person entitled to protection…

Section 8. Whenever a law officer has reason to believe that a person has been abused or harassed or is in danger of being abused or harassed, such officer shall use all reasonable means to prevent further abuse or harassment. Law officers shall make every reasonable effort to do…

Section 9. When considering a complaint filed under this chapter, the court shall order a review of the records contained within the court activity record information system and the statewide domestic violence recordkeeping system, as provided in chapter 188 of the acts of 1992 a…