Bill > S1125

This bill modernizes the roles and responsibilities of the Victim and Witness Assistance Board by expanding its duties and updating its operational guidelines. The bill requires the board to provide rights information for victims and witnesses in the top five non-English languages spoken in the state, ensuring broader accessibility of important legal information in courthouses and police stations. The board's new responsibilities include funding and supporting victim services across Massachusetts, providing professional development and community education opportunities, advocating for policy and legislative initiatives related to victims' rights, managing the Garden of Peace memorial in Boston (a public garden honoring homicide victims), and administering the SAFEPLAN advocacy program. Additionally, the bill makes a minor grammatical change by replacing the gendered pronoun "him" with the gender-neutral "them" in the board's governing documents. These updates aim to enhance support, visibility, and accessibility of services for victims and witnesses throughout the state, with a focus on inclusivity and comprehensive assistance.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1125