Laws in states against cohersive control and gaslgihting

Certain U.S. states have recently enacted or are considering laws specifically against coercive control, which explicitly include gaslighting and other forms of non-physical psychological abuse. While there are no federal "gaslighting laws," state-level action is increasing, and some statutes directly address these behaviors.

States with Active Coercive Control Laws

California: Senate Bill 1141 (Active 2024) criminalizes coercive control—including gaslighting, monitoring, and psychological manipulation—in intimate relationships. Violations can result in up to one year in jail.gaslightingcheck
Hawaii: HB 2425 (Active 2020) made Hawaii the first state to explicitly include coercive control under the legal definition of domestic abuse. This law recognizes patterns of threatening, humiliating, or intimidating behaviors as grounds for protection and possible criminal penalties.pilr.richmond+2
Connecticut: Public Act No. 21-78 (Active 2021) expanded the domestic violence definition to include coercive control, allowing restraining orders and criminal prosecution for non-physical abuse.route-fifty+1
Massachusetts: Bill H.4744 was signed into law in June 2024. It specifically includes coercive control as a form of domestic abuse, bolstering legal protections for survivors of psychological abuse.dvsn
Washington: HB 1901 (Active 2024) added coercive control to the state’s domestic violence statutes, allowing for protection orders in cases of non-physical abuse.bwjp+1

States with Pending or Proposed Legislation

New York: Assembly Bill A04130 aims to criminalize coercive control, including gaslighting, and is actively being debated.
Illinois, Maryland, South Carolina: These and other states are considering similar legislation.themarshallproject+1

Federal Protections

Although no explicit federal law targets gaslighting, federal protections exist under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for psychological abuse within domestic violence. Title VII of employment law and witness tampering statutes can provide recourse if gaslighting constitutes harassment or witness intimidation.gaslightingcheck

Summary Table

State	Law/Status	Focus
California	Senate Bill 1141 (2024)	Criminalizes coercive control, incl. gaslighting
Connecticut	Public Act No. 21-78 (2021)	Civil/criminal coercive control
Hawaii	HB 2425 (2020)	First to define & criminalize coercive control, incl. gaslighting
Massachusetts	Bill H.4744 (2024)	Explicitly includes coercive control as domestic abuse
Washington	HB 1901 (2024)	Expands DV laws to include coercive control
New York	Bill pending	Seeks to criminalize coercive control
Others (e.g., Illinois)	Bills pending or proposed	-

Other Notes

Almost all new laws expand domestic violence definitions to include coercive control, mainly affecting civil and family court issues such as protective orders and child custody.themarshallproject
Hawaii remains the only state so far to directly criminalize coercive control as a stand-alone offense, while other states generally treat it in the context of civil remedies or DV protection orders.pilr.richmond+1
Some workplaces may address gaslighting under hostile work environment laws if it constitutes harassment or discrimination, but no state has a gaslighting-specific employment law.donatilaw+1

States are increasingly recognizing psychological abuse like gaslighting as serious and introducing coercive control statutes in domestic violence law, with a mix of enacted, pending, and proposed laws nationwide.dvsn+3

Coercive control laws significantly influence protective orders and custody decisions by expanding the legal recognition of non-physical abuse as grounds for protective measures and custody arrangements focused on safety.

Impact on Protective Orders

Coercive control, including behaviors like gaslighting, intimidation, and isolation, is increasingly recognized as sufficient grounds for courts to issue protective orders that restrict or limit contact of the abusive parent with the survivor and children.
Protective orders influenced by coercive control evidence may include conditions such as supervised visitation, safe exchange protocols, restricted communication, and mandatory counseling or intervention programs for the abusive parent.
Courts prioritize the safety and emotional well-being of both survivors and children, treating patterns of coercive control as serious threats warranting preventive legal protections.

Impact on Custody Decisions

Courts apply the "best interests of the child" standard but with heightened awareness that coercive control can severely affect a child's emotional and physical safety.
Evidence of coercive control leads courts to limit or deny custody or visitation rights to the abuser, with options for supervised visitation or sole custody awarded to the non-abusive parent.
Psychological abuse and coercive patterns are examined through documented communications, witness testimony, protective orders, and expert reports to assess risk to the child and the other parent.
Custody litigation can be complex, as coercive control often persists post-separation through manipulative litigation tactics known as "custody blackmail," aiming to control or harm the other parent.
Some states have introduced presumptions or legal factors explicitly incorporating coercive control in custody statutes, although application and standards vary widely and judges retain discretion.

Summary

Coercive control laws enhance the ability of courts to provide protective orders and shape custody decisions that acknowledge the dangers of psychological and emotional abuse, not just physical violence. These laws help prevent abusers from maintaining control through subtle, ongoing manipulation that endangers the child’s wellbeing and the non-abusive parent’s rights. Evidence-based documentation and expert involvement are critical in these cases to achieve protective and custody outcomes responsive to coercive control dynamics.modernfamilylaw+7

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