Bill > H1826

This bill proposes significant changes to the administration of the Victim Compensation Fund in Massachusetts by transferring oversight from the current division to the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA). Specifically, the bill repeals an existing section of law and amends multiple sections of Chapter 258C to replace references to the "division" with "agency" and update various administrative procedures. Key changes include establishing the executive director of MOVA as the primary administrator with authority to promulgate rules, create new definitions, and modify language around claims processing. The bill also adds a new section establishing strict confidentiality provisions for victim compensation records, allowing disclosure only in limited circumstances such as processing claims, with the claimant's written consent, or through a court order. Gender-specific pronouns are replaced with gender-neutral language throughout the text, and the bill provides the agency with more direct authority in managing victim compensation claims. The changes are designed to streamline the victim compensation process and provide clearer administrative guidelines, with the law set to take effect 180 days after its passage.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1826