Bill > S1665

This bill modifies Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Section 97D to establish stricter confidentiality protections for police reports involving sensitive crimes such as rape, sexual assault, and domestic abuse. The bill specifies that these reports and related communications shall not be considered public records and must be maintained confidentially by police departments. However, the reports can be accessed under specific circumstances by certain authorized individuals, including: the victim, the victim's attorney, individuals specifically authorized by the victim, prosecutors, victim-witness advocates, domestic violence counselors, and sexual assault counselors, when such access is necessary for their professional duties. Law enforcement officers, district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, and officials authorized to set bail can also request these reports through written, telephonic, facsimile, or electronic mail requests. If an advocate or counselor not known to be authorized requests such information, the police department must make a reasonable effort to notify the victim. The bill includes penalties for violating these confidentiality provisions, with potential consequences of up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1665