Bill > S1281

This bill establishes a comprehensive task force to systematically review laws related to domestic violence and sexual assault reports and confidentiality. The task force will be composed of diverse members, including representatives from the attorney general's office, district attorneys, state police, victim assistance, legislative leadership, and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The group will have a broad mandate to assess current laws, particularly section 97D of chapter 41 of the General Laws, and evaluate their effectiveness in protecting survivors while ensuring that perpetrators cannot exploit confidentiality provisions. Specifically, the task force will identify potential gaps in existing legislation, review the impact of current laws, and develop recommendations to enhance protections for domestic violence survivors. The task force is required to submit a detailed report with their findings and proposed legislative recommendations to the Senate and House clerks and the judicial committee within 18 months of the bill's enactment, with the option to conduct subsequent reports if deemed necessary to fully address the issues surrounding domestic violence confidentiality.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1281