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S 1224

Relates to coverage for services provided by school-based health centers for medical assistance recipients

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 18 co-sponsors

Creates a specialized DV/sexual assault probation unit with dedicated officers and a victim advocate to supervise offenders, coordinate treatment, and support victims.

VETOED MEMO.45
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Bill Summary · S 1224

Summary — S 1224: An Act establishing a domestic violence and sexual assault probation unit

Status: VETOED (VETOED MEMO.45, 2025-10-16)
Introduced/Filed: Jan 15 / Apr 1, 2025 (presented by Sen. Patrick M. O’Connor)

Note: The bill text filed with the Senate creates a domestic violence and sexual assault probation unit. (The header title submitted with the request — about school-based health center coverage — appears to be inconsistent with the bill text; this summary follows the bill text.)

Purpose

Create a specialized probation unit to improve supervision of domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault cases, centralize victim support and information-sharing, and incorporate treatment/compliance conditions into release requirements for offenders in DV/sexual assault matters.

Key provisions

  • Adds new Section 99C to Chapter 276 (new “Domestic violence and sexual assault probation unit”):
    • Establishes the unit within the probation departments of the Superior Court, Boston Municipal Court, and relevant divisions of the Probate & Family and District Courts.
    • Creates a victim advocate position:
    • Employed by an external non‑profit whose mission includes DV/sexual assault advocacy.
    • Stationed in the court probation department and serves as primary liaison between victims (complainants under Chapter 209A) and probation officers.
    • Notifies victims of proceedings, informs them of rights under the Victims’ Bill of Rights (Section 3 of Chapter 258B), and maintains case-related records (police reports, restraining orders, victim statements, medical evidence, treatment program reports, etc.).
    • Interfaces with certified batterer’s treatment programs to gather current participant information for probation officers.
    • Designates probation officers exclusively assigned to DV/sexual assault cases:
    • Officers continue with the same respondent/offender if the person reoffends against the same or a new victim.
    • Officers receive additional certified training on DV/sexual assault (designed/certified by the Governor’s council in collaboration with nonprofits).
    • If an offender enrolled in a certified batterer’s program is non‑compliant, the probation officer must “surrender” the assigned respondent/offender.
    • Officers must disclose material conduct information in hearings (contacts with victim, GPS maintenance, release-condition violations, etc.).
  • Amends Chapter 276, Section 58A(2) by adding a new subparagraph (C):
    • Conditions of release may require that a person maintain or commence a certified batterer’s treatment program where the charge/violation involves Chapter 209A orders, abuse offenses (per Chapter 209A §1), or protection order violations.

Who is affected

  • Victims/complainants of domestic violence and sexual assault (enhanced advocacy, notification, record-keeping).
  • Respondents/offenders in DV/sexual assault cases (specialized probation supervision, possible mandated treatment as release condition).
  • Court probation departments (new unit staffing, training, and coordination duties).
  • External non‑profit organizations (employ victim advocate; collaborate on training and information).
  • Certified batterer’s treatment programs (increased coordination and compliance reporting).

Implementation & timeline (from legislative actions)

  • Advanced through both chambers in mid‑2025 (Senate passed 06/11/2025; House passed 06/13/2025).
  • Delivered to Governor: 10/09/2025.
  • Vetoed by Governor (VETOED MEMO.45): 10/16/2025. Further action would require a veto override or reintroduction.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Expected benefits: improved victim safety and communication, continuity and specialization in probation supervision, better-informed judicial decision-making via centralized information.
  • Resource needs: funding/staffing for unit probation officers, training programs, and placement/coordination with external victim‑advocate nonprofits.
  • Privacy/legal issues: central collection/retention of sensitive victim records; protocols needed to protect victim confidentiality and data security.
  • Enforcement mechanics: “surrender” clause for noncompliant treatment participants may require clarification in practice (what “surrender” entails procedurally).

Related statutory references

  • Chapter 276 (probation statutes) — new Section 99C; amendment to Section 58A.
  • Chapter 209A (protective orders/abuse statutes).
  • Chapter 258B, Section 3 (Victims’ Bill of Rights).

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

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