WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HD 3646

An Act to respect and protect domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle DuBois

Requires public release of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault statistics by police and prosecutors, with redacted personal data to protect victims.

0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 3646

Summary: An Act to respect and protect domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors (HD 3646)

Overview

HD 3646, titled “An Act to respect and protect domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors,” is a proposed Massachusetts bill introduced by Representative Michelle M. DuBois (House No. 1676). The bill seeks to enhance transparency around domestic violence (DV), rape, and sexual assault by requiring public disclosure of certain statistical data, while protecting individuals’ privacy. A similar measure previously circulated in the 2023-2024 session (H. 1474).

Note: The bill’s status is not specified in the provided excerpts. The version content indicates an introduction and filing in January 2025, with the aim of amending existing law.

Key Provisions

  • Amendment to Section 97D, Chapter 41: The bill inserts a new provision after the phrase “performance of their duties.”
  • Public data requests: Police departments, district attorneys, and other legal bodies would be required to respond to public requests for statistical data on:
    • Reports of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault or attempts to commit these offenses.
    • Reports of abuse perpetrated by family or household members (as defined in Chapter 209A).
  • Privacy protection: Data provided in response to public requests must have personal information redacted in accordance with Section 10 of Chapter 66.

Agencies Affected

  • Law enforcement agencies (police departments)
  • District attorneys
  • Other legal and prosecutorial bodies within the Commonwealth
  • Possibly other state agencies that collect crime and DV/SA statistics (as implied by the inclusion of “other legal bodies”)

Data Privacy and Accessibility

  • The bill emphasizes transparency by mandating data disclosure upon public request.
  • It requires redaction of personal information to protect victims and individuals, aligning with privacy protections under Chapter 66, Section 10.

Legislative History and Context

  • Similar provision previously filed in the 2023-2024 session as H. 1474.
  • The current filing is House No. 1676 (DuBois) with the same intent to protect DV and sexual assault victims and survivors.
  • The timeline indicates introduction in 2025 and potential progression through the Judiciary committee; factual status beyond introduction is not provided here.

Potential Impact

  • Public access: Improves availability of aggregated statistics on DV, rape, and sexual assault, aiding researchers, advocates, and policymakers.
  • Accountability: Encourages agencies to maintain and share data in a standardized, privacy-protected manner.
  • Resource considerations: Agencies may need systems or processes to compile and redact data efficiently in response to requests.

Notes

  • The bill focuses on data transparency while preserving privacy protections.
  • Definitions reference the existing DV framework (family/household members per Chapter 209A).

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

Sign in to ask a question.