An Act relative to improving sexual violence survivor protections
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to create a ‘bill of rights’ for survivors of sexual assault and related crimes in Massachusetts. It intends to provide survivors with specific protections and rights throughout the legal process, from reporting to potential prosecution. The bill seeks to strengthen support for survivors and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect. It builds upon previous attempts to establish similar protections in the state.
Key provisions
- Establishment of a ‘bill of rights’ for sexual assault survivors.
- Guaranteed access to support services and resources.
- Protections against retraumatization during legal proceedings.
- Requirements for law enforcement and prosecutors to handle cases with sensitivity.
- Potential for expedited legal processes for survivors.
Who is affected
- Sexual assault survivors
- Individuals experiencing domestic violence
- Legal professionals (law enforcement, prosecutors, judges)
- Advocacy groups supporting survivors
- The judicial system
Notable changes
- This bill seeks to codify specific rights for survivors, moving beyond existing policies.
- It may require changes to existing legal procedures to better accommodate survivors' needs.
- The bill builds on prior legislative efforts to address sexual violence in Massachusetts.
Bill text
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Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
4 on record
Primary sponsor
Michael O. Moore
Cosponsors
James B. Eldridge
James K. Hawkins
Michael O. Moore
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