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HD 5240

A report of the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office (under Section 24W(e) of Chapter 90 of the General Laws) submitting a report on its fiscal year 2025 Operating Under the Influence Deterrent Trust Fund (Melanie’s Law)

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Norfolk DA must report FY2025 spending from OUI penalty funds dedicated to prevention, enforcement, and victim services under Melanie's Law.

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Bill Summary · HD 5240

Legislative bill overview

HD 5240 requires the Norfolk District Attorney's Office to submit a fiscal year 2025 report on the Operating Under the Influence Deterrent Trust Fund, commonly known as "Melanie's Law." This report is mandated under Section 24W(e) of Chapter 90 of the General Laws and documents how OUI-related penalty funds are being collected and spent.

Why is this important

Melanie's Law, named after a fatal DUI victim, dedicates funds from OUI convictions to DUI prevention, victim services, and enforcement programs. These annual reports provide transparency on whether the trust fund is adequately resourced and whether prevention and victim services are being adequately funded across Massachusetts.

Potential points of contention

  • Report completion and timeliness: Whether the Norfolk DA's office will submit comprehensive data by required deadlines, or if the reporting requirement creates administrative burden
  • Fund allocation scrutiny: The report may reveal whether OUI penalty revenues are sufficient to meet prevention and victim service demands, potentially exposing underfunding
  • Statewide consistency: Questions about whether Norfolk's OUI deterrent efforts align with other districts and whether disparities exist in fund distribution across the state

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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