Bill > S1590

This bill establishes a sexual assault counselor certification task force comprised of representatives from various organizations focused on sexual assault and victim support, including the Department of Public Health, advocacy groups like Pathways for Change, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and the Victim Rights Law Center, as well as up to three sexual assault survivors. The task force is charged with making comprehensive recommendations on several key areas, including updating legal definitions of "rape crisis center" and "sexual assault counselor", defining appropriate training curricula and hours for both paid employees and volunteers, exploring potential certification levels and corresponding criteria, developing a fee structure for certification, assessing the feasibility and costs of licensing rape crisis centers, and investigating opportunities for continuing education and college credits related to sexual assault counseling training programs. Within 12 months of the act's effective date, the task force is required to submit a detailed report with its findings and proposed legislation to the state legislative leadership, specifically the senate and house clerks and the chairs of the ways and means committees.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1590