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S 1180

An Act expanding access to victim compensation

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 2 co-sponsors

Expands victim compensation to cover funeral/burial costs up to $15,000, broadens who can file to guardians, dependents, or others who pay, with a 5-year filing window.

Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 1180

Summary — S 1180: "An Act expanding access to victim compensation"

Note: The materials provided include text from two different bills that share the number “S 1180.” This summary focuses on the Massachusetts bill titled “An Act expanding access to victim compensation” (Senate Docket No. 1649) — the text that expands funeral/burial awards and adjusts filing deadlines. Where the source materials conflicted (an unrelated Idaho bill on automated license plate readers), that material is noted below but not the focus of this summary.

Purpose

To broaden and clarify access to state victim compensation benefits by (1) increasing and clarifying funeral and burial expense awards and eligible recipients, and (2) setting/clarifying the time limit for filing compensation claims.

Key provisions

  • Repeals Section 2(c) of Chapter 258C of the General Laws (text of the repealed subsection is not included in the provided materials).
  • Amends Chapter 258C (victim compensation) to establish that:
    • The maximum award for funeral and burial expenses is $15,000.
    • Eligible recipients for funeral/burial compensation explicitly include a legal guardian, dependent, other family member of the victim, or any person who incurs funeral and burial expenses directly related to the victim’s death.
  • Amends the filing deadline provision of Chapter 258C to require that a claim for compensation be filed within five years of the date of the crime.

Who would be affected

  • Victims’ families and others who incur funeral and burial expenses related to a victim’s death would be eligible for higher and explicitly broadened compensation (up to $15,000).
  • Administrators of the Commonwealth’s victim compensation program, who would need to apply the new eligibility rules and deadline.
  • Potentially more claimants (e.g., non-family payors) could qualify under the expanded definition of eligible payors.

Procedural status and timeline (from provided materials)

  • Filed in the Massachusetts Senate as Docket No. 1649 (Senate No. 1180). Presented by Senator Liz Miranda; petition lists Joanne M. Comerford and James B. Eldridge.
  • Referred to the Judiciary Committee. A hearing was scheduled for 06/17/2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM) in room A-2 (per provided hearing notice).
  • Additional procedural timestamps in the packet appear to include records from other jurisdictions; confirm current status with the Massachusetts Legislature’s docket for up-to-date movement after the hearing.

Notes and caveats

  • The packet includes unrelated Idaho legislation (also labeled S 1180) about automated license plate readers and front license plate requirements. That content is separate and not related to the Massachusetts victim compensation bill summarized here.
  • The bill text provided does not contain the full current wording of the statutory subsections being repealed or amended beyond the changes shown; for implementation, the Office of Victim Services and legal counsel would need to reconcile cross-references and any downstream administrative rules.

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

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