Bill > S826

This bill establishes a Rights of Victims of Sexual Assault Task Force, comprised of members from various organizations including rape crisis centers, law enforcement, colleges and universities, and community outreach groups, with the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA) playing a key role in its selection and staffing. The task force will study best practices and make recommendations on improving the process for submitting and investigating complaints related to sexual assault reports and investigations, assessing the need for additional victim advocates and developing a plan for their certification and provision, and determining if the right to a victim's advocate should be expanded beyond hospital and law enforcement interview settings to include interactions with prosecutors and other legal professionals. Additionally, the task force will evaluate the ongoing need for its own existence and will be empowered to retain independent experts to review confidential records and conduct interviews to inform their recommendations, ultimately producing a report within 18 months to the legislature and other relevant officials.