SECTION 1.  Chapter 258C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is amended by adding the following new section:-

Section 15.  (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all records and information received, obtained or maintained by the division in connection with any claim for crime victim compensation shall be confidential and privileged, and shall not be disclosed by the division or by anyone who receives such records or information from the division.

(b) Nothing in this section shall preclude disclosure of records or information: (1) for the processing of a claim by the division or responding to an action in court seeking review of a decision by the division, at the sole discretion of the attorney general or her designee; (2) consisting of information exchanged between the claimant or his or her authorized representative and the division, provided that the claimant or his or her authorized representative consents to such disclosure in writing; (3) in response to a request for information for legitimate criminal justice purposes, at the sole discretion of the attorney general or her designee;  (4) to the extent required by rules of criminal procedure governing mandatory discovery, or the production or introduction into evidence of exculpatory or statutorily privileged records; or (5) upon a lawful order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.