Chapter 214 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after Section 3B, the following section:-

Section 3C (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“News media organization”, any entity that disseminates information through a broadcast station, radio station, cable television system, satellite system, newspaper, magazine, periodical or website

“Identifying information”, any characteristic that when seen by an uninvolved bystander could reasonably result in the identifying of the victim of an automobile or motorcycle accident. This shall include but not be limited to names, portraits, license plates, company logos and registration stickers.

(b) Any news media organization reporting on an automobile or motorcycle accident with a fatality shall conceal the identity or any identifying information of any deceased individual involved until said individual’s next of kin has been notified by the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(c) Any news media organization in violation of this section may be held civilly liable in the superior court by the estate of the deceased individual whose identifying information was released. Said estate may bring an action in the superior court to recover damages for any injuries sustained by reason of the releasing of said identifying information. If the defendant knowingly used identifying information in a prohibited or unlawful manner, the court, in its discretion, may award the plaintiff compensation, the amount of which is at the discretion of the court.