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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1168 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1281
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
John C. Velis
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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 relative to domestic violence reports and confidentiality.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :John C. VelisHampden and HampshireJason M. LewisFifth Middlesex2/28/2025John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth2/28/2025 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1168 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1281
By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1281) of John C. Velis, Jason M.
Lewis and John F. Keenan for legislation relative to domestic violence reports and
confidentiality. The Judiciary.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1136 OF 2023-2024.]
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 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:
1 Chapter 41 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 97D the
2following section:-
3 Section 97D½. (a) There shall be a task force established to complete a systematic review
4of the laws pertaining to domestic violence and sexual assault reports and confidentiality. The
5task force shall consist of: the attorney general or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts
6District Attorneys Association or a designee; the colonel of the state police or a designee; the
7executive director of Massachusetts office for victim assistance or a designee; 2 members
8appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall represent domestic or sexual violence
9programs in the Commonwealth, have experience working directly with survivors of domestic
10and sexual violence, or be a survivor of domestic or sexual violence; 2 members appointed by 2 of 2
11the speaker of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall represent domestic or sexual
12violence programs in the Commonwealth, have experience working directly with survivors of
13domestic and sexual violence, or be a survivor of domestic or sexual violence; 1 member
14appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the
15house of representatives; and 2 persons appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall represent
16domestic or sexual violence programs in the Commonwealth, have experience working directly
17with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, or be a survivor of domestic or sexual violence.
18The members of the task force shall appoint a chair.
19 (b) The task force shall: (i) assess the adequacy of laws pertaining to domestic violence,
20sexual assault, and confidentiality including, but not limited to, section 97D of chapter 41 of the
21General Laws; (ii) identify and review the impact of said section 97D; and (iii) develop
22recommendations to ensure confidentiality of domestic violence survivors without protecting
23perpetrators.
24 (c) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and legislative recommendations to
25the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives and the chairs of the joint committee on
26the judiciary not later than 18 months after the effective date of this act. The task force shall
27determine if subsequent reports shall be necessary to properly address this issue.