Gov. Weld Set to Sign Barrett's Violence Bill

A bill proposed by State Sen. Michael J. Barrett '71 (D-Cambridge), revising procedures for restraining order cases and establishing state-wide records of domestic violence offenses in the state, is scheduled to be signed today by Gov. William F. Weld '66.

The new law requires that reports be made of all civil restraining orders and criminal domestic violence offenses, and that judges refer to them when issuing restraining orders. If the records show multiple previous offenses by the defendant, the judge is required to notify law enforcement officials.

The law mandates that information be provided about all the civil and criminal responses available to a victim of domestic violence--including the right to prosecute under the "stalking law" passed in May.

"This law empowers all of the good guys," Barrett said in a statement. "Judges will be given comprehensive up-to-date information. Women will be informed about how they can use the law to stop abuse. And for the first time, police officers will know about restraining orders issued throughout the state when responding to domestic violence calls."