By Bob Katzen

This bill (H 3478) – Increases the penalties for violating a restraining order. The bill would keep the current law that imposes up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to 2.5 years in prison on offenders for violating a restraining order but would increase the fine to up to $10,000 and/or up to five years in prison.

Rep. Tim Whelan (R-Brewster), the bill’s sponsor, said he filed it with designs to add incremental increases in prison sentences for second and subsequent violations of restraining orders. “It was filed with the intent of providing a further deterrent to those who serially violate restraining orders,” Whelan told Beacon Hill Roll Call. “I will refile this in the next session.”