SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1649        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Liz Miranda

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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 expanding access to victim compensation.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1649        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act expanding access to victim compensation.

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

SECTION 1. Section 2(c) of 258C of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 2. Section (3) of chapter 258C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection 1 in its entirety inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

(1)(A)  The maximum award or compensation for funeral and burial expenses shall be $15,000.  A legal guardian, dependent or other family member of the victim or a person who incurs funeral and burial expenses directly related to the death of a victim shall be eligible for compensation for such funeral and burial expenses.

SECTION 3. Section (5) of chapter 258C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection 1, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

(1)(A) A claim for compensation under this chapter shall be filed within five years of the date of the crime.