Bill > S71

This bill aims to promote restorative justice practices within the Commonwealth's criminal justice system, emphasizing repairing harm caused by crime and involving those affected, including victims and offenders, in the process. It defines key terms like "community-based restorative justice program" as a collaborative effort between law enforcement, courts, probation, and the community to offer trained facilitators who guide "responsible parties" (offenders willing to accept responsibility) and "impacted parties" (those harmed by the crime) in developing a "plan of repair," which is a confidential agreement outlining actions to address the harm. The bill allows law enforcement to refer children to these programs before formal charges are filed and permits diversion to such programs for both children and adults, with consent from impacted parties, or if an impacted party is unavailable or unwilling to participate. It also establishes an advisory committee to study and track the use of these programs and creates an Office of Restorative Justice within the Judiciary to provide technical assistance and funding. Importantly, participation in these programs is confidential and cannot be used as evidence of guilt or civil liability, though compliance with a plan of repair can be used to show adherence to court orders or probation.