Massachusetts S3158: An Act controlling and abusive litigation

What the bill says

From the introduced text, July 13, 2026:

SECTION 1. The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 209D the following chapter:- Chapter 209E. CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION PREVENTION Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: “Abuse”, as defined in section 1 of chapter 209A. "Controlling and abusive litigation", litigation where the following apply: (a)(i) The opposing parties have a current or former family or household member relationship; (ii) The party who is filing, initiating, advancing or continuing the litigation has been found by a court to have committed abuse against the other party pursuant to an order entered under chapters 208, 209, 209A, 209C or 258E; and (iii) The litigation is being initiated, advanced or continued soley for the purpose of abusing, harassing, intimidating, threatening or maintaining contact with the other party; and (b) At least 1 of the following factors apply: (i) Claims, allegations or other legal contentions made in the litigation are not warranted by existing law; (ii) Allegations and other factual contentions made in the litigation are without the existence of evidentiary support; or (iii) An issue or issues that are the basis of the litigation have previously been filed in 1 or more other courts or jurisdictions and the actions have been litigated and disposed of unfavorably …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Judiciary, Joint Committee on the (I) · primary sponsor
• Nick Collins (D, First Suffolk)
• Kenneth Sweezey (R)
• Michael Brady (D, Second Plymouth and Norfolk)
• Patrick O'Connor (R, First Plymouth and Norfolk)
• Joanne Comerford (D, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester)
• Jacob Oliveira (D)
• James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
• Paul Feeney (D, Bristol and Norfolk)
• Joan Lovely (D, Second Essex)
• Jason Lewis (D, Fifth Middlesex)
• Ryan Fattman (R, Worcester and Hampden)

Latest actions

1. July 13, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
2. July 13, 2026: New draft of S1205
3. July 13, 2026: Reported from the committee on The Judiciary

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on the Judiciary (June 29, 2026): 5 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S3158?

S3158 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act controlling and abusive litigation.

What is the status of S3158?

In committee as of July 13, 2026. Latest action: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means (July 13, 2026).

Who sponsored S3158?

Judiciary, Joint Committee on the (I), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S3158?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S3158