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HD 2288

An Act establishing statewide standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Alyson Sullivan-Almeida

Massachusetts bill establishes mandatory statewide standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers to ensure consistent care quality and survivor support across all regions.

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Bill Summary · HD 2288

Legislative bill overview

HD 2288 establishes uniform statewide standards and requirements for organizations that provide services to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors in Massachusetts. The bill creates baseline qualifications, training requirements, and operational protocols that all such providers must follow to ensure consistent quality of care across the state.

Why is this important

Survivors currently receive widely varying levels of support depending on which service provider they access, as standards are inconsistent across regions. Establishing statewide standards could improve trauma-informed care, ensure staff competency, and strengthen survivor outcomes, while also potentially reducing liability for providers who follow established best practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Smaller, under-resourced nonprofits may struggle to meet new standards without significant funding increases, potentially forcing closures of some community-based programs
  • Autonomy and flexibility: Service providers may view mandated standards as limiting their ability to tailor approaches to specific community needs or cultural contexts
  • Definition and enforcement: Determining which organizations fall under "service provider" and how violations will be enforced could create regulatory ambiguity or burden

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

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