Silva v. Carmel

The defendant appeals from an abuse prevention order issued against her pursuant to G. L. c. 209A by a District Court judge based on events that occurred in a residential program under the auspices of the Department of Developmental Services. Because we conclude that individuals who share a common diagnosis or status, rather than marriage, blood, or other relationships that are enumerated in G. L. c. 209A, § 1, and who live together in a State-licensed residential facility, do not qualify as “household members” within the meaning of G. L. c. 209A, § 1, we vacate the order against the…