SENATE DOCKET, NO. 917        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1136

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

John C. Velis

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to domestic violence reports and confidentiality.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

John C. Velis

Hampden and Hampshire

 

Steven George Xiarhos

5th Barnstable

3/9/2023


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 917        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1136

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1136) of John C. Velis and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation relative to domestic violence reports and confidentiality.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act relative to domestic violence reports and confidentiality.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 41 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 97D the following section:-

Section 97D½. (a) There shall be a task force established to complete a systematic review of the laws pertaining to domestic violence reports and confidentiality. The task force shall consist of: the attorney general or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association or a designee; the colonel of the state police or a designee; the executive director of Massachusetts office for victim assistance or a designee; 2 persons appointed by the senate president; 2 persons appointed by the speaker of the house; and 2 persons appointed by the governor. The members of the task force shall appoint a chair.

(b) The task force shall: (i) assess the adequacy of laws pertaining to domestic violence and confidentiality including, but not limited to, section 97D of chapter 41 of the General Laws; (ii) identify and review the impact of said section 97D; and (iii) develop recommendations to ensure confidentiality of domestic violence survivors without protecting perpetrators.

(c) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and legislative recommendations to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives and the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary not later than 18 months after the effective date of this act. The task force shall determine if subsequent reports shall be necessary to properly address this issue.