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H 1694

An Act providing civil legal remedies for victims of economic abuse

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 22 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill creates civil legal remedies allowing economic abuse victims to sue perpetrators for financial damages in state courts.

Hearing scheduled for 07/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:10 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 1694

Legislative bill overview

H 1694 creates civil legal remedies specifically for victims of economic abuse in Massachusetts, allowing them to pursue lawsuits against perpetrators for financial harm. The bill recognizes economic abuse as a distinct legal injury separate from other forms of domestic abuse, enabling victims to seek damages through the civil court system.

Why is this important

Economic abuse—controlling someone's finances, preventing employment, or accumulating debt in their name—is a common tactic in domestic violence situations but often lacks direct legal recourse. This bill addresses a gap in Massachusetts law by giving victims a civil pathway to recover losses and hold abusers accountable, potentially improving safety and financial recovery for vulnerable populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: Determining what constitutes "economic abuse" versus legitimate financial disagreements in relationships could be legally complex and may lead to disputes over case eligibility
  • Litigation burden: Requiring abuse victims to pursue civil suits adds legal costs and emotional burden; unclear whether the bill provides attorney fee provisions or victim support services
  • Evidentiary challenges: Proving economic abuse requires detailed financial documentation that victims may lack access to, particularly if the abuser controlled records or accounts
  • Intersection with family law: Unclear how civil remedies interact with existing divorce/separation financial protections and whether this duplicates or conflicts with family court authority

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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