H 4466
An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill updates the roles and responsibilities of the Victim and Witness Assistance Board in Massachusetts. It requires the board to prominently display information about victim and witness rights in courthouses and police stations, available in multiple languages. The bill also expands the board’s duties to include funding victim services, providing educational resources, advocating for victim rights, managing a memorial garden, and administering a specific advocacy program.
Key provisions
- Requires conspicuous posting of victim and witness rights information in courthouses and police stations in multiple languages.
- Expands the board’s role in funding and supporting victim services across the Commonwealth.
- Mandates the board to provide informational materials and professional development opportunities for victim services providers and related agencies.
- Authorizes the board to advocate for policies supporting victim rights and services.
- Establishes the board’s management and administration of the Garden of Peace in Boston.
- Requires the board to administer the SAFEPLAN advocacy program.
- Clarifies the funding sources for the Victim and Witness Assistance Board's operations.
Who is affected
- Victims of crime
- Witnesses in criminal cases
- Victim and Witness Assistance Board
- Massachusetts courts
- Law enforcement agencies
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Cosponsors
Estela A. Reyes
Marjorie C. Decker
Michael S. Day
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Bill H.4466 194th (Current)
An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board
View Text Print Preview Download PDF
Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on the Judiciary Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Tabs
Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4466
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 9/11/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on The Judiciary |
| 9/11/2025 | House | New draft of H1640 and H1655 |
| 9/11/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
Similar Bills
H.1640 194th (Current)
An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board
H.1447 193rd (2023 - 2024)
An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board
H.4326 193rd (2023 - 2024)
An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board
S.1125 194th (Current)
An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.