Bill > S989

This bill seeks to enhance the rights of crime victims in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. Expanding the definition of "family member" to include grandparents and persons with whom the victim lived in a relationship similar to marriage. 2. Defining "probation officer" to include various probation personnel. 3. Ensuring victims and family members of violent crimes, including homicide and sexual assault, receive services even if a complaint or indictment has not been issued. 4. Giving victims the right to be present and heard at sentencing or case disposition, even if the defendant pleads guilty or the sentence is mandatory. 5. Requiring the court to consider the victim impact statement in sentencing. 6. Allowing victims to submit the impact statement to the parole board. 7. Notifying victims of probation violations, sentencing after a violation, and motions to modify the sentence or probation. 8. Establishing a special commission to evaluate and recommend improvements to the bail notification system for victims and family members.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S989