Bill > H2252

This bill aims to enhance the confidentiality of information related to victims of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence by amending existing laws. Specifically, it mandates that all reports concerning these offenses, as well as conversations between police and victims, must be kept confidential by police departments. This information will only be accessible to the victim, their attorney, individuals authorized by the victim, prosecutors, victim-witness advocates, domestic violence and sexual assault counselors, and other law enforcement officers when necessary for their duties. The bill also modifies the requirements for daily police logs, stipulating that entries related to domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, or certain assaults involving family or household members, as defined in General Laws chapter 209A, section 1, will be kept in a separate, non-public log and will not be disclosed to the public. Violators of these confidentiality provisions could face up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $1,000.