Chapter 258C

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-- [ Definition of "Agency'' inserted by 2025, 9, Sec. 61 effective July 1, 2025. See 2025, 9, Sec. 138.] "Agency'', the Massachusetts office …

Section 10. No compensation shall be awarded or paid unless the out-of-pocket expenses or legal liability of the claimant for services rendered as the result of the crime exceeds any and all of the amounts received, applied for, or to be applied for as the result of the crime fro…

Section 11. Acceptance of any compensation under this chapter shall subrogate the commonwealth, to the extent of such compensation paid, to any right or right of action accruing to the claimant or to the victim to recover payments on account of losses resulting from the crime wit…

Section 12. Any person who: (a) submits a false or fraudulent application or claim for an award; (b) intentionally makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in relation to any claim pending before the division; or (c) intentionally concea…

Section 13. No person who, in good faith, provides or obtains, or attempts to provide or obtain, assistance for a victim of a crime as defined in section one, shall be liable in a civil suit for damages as a result of any acts or omissions in providing or obtaining, or attempting…

Section 14. When a person files a claim pursuant to this chapter, no health care provider, as defined in section 1 of chapter 111, that has been given notice of the claim shall conduct any debt collection activities relating to medical or dental treatment received by the person i…

Section 15. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all records and information received, obtained or maintained by the agency in connection with any claim for crime victim compensation shall be confidential and privileged. All records and information shall not be discl…

Section 2. (a) No compensation shall be paid under this chapter unless the division finds that a crime was committed and that such crime directly resulted in personal physical or psychological injury to, or death of, the victim. [ Subsection (a) as amended by 2025, 9, Sec. 65 eff…

Section 3. (a) The maximum award for compensation to a claimant pursuant to this chapter shall be $25,000; provided, however, that the maximum award for compensation to a claimant with a catastrophic injury pursuant to this chapter shall be $50,000. If there are 2 or more claiman…

Section 4. (a) The division of victim compensation and assistance shall administer the provisions of this chapter. Subject to appropriation, the attorney general shall designate a program director of said division. Said program director may appoint and remove, subject to the appr…

Section 5. (a)(1) A claim for compensation under this chapter shall be filed within three years of the date of the crime. [ Paragraph (2) of subsection (a) effective until July 1, 2025. For text effective July 1, 2025, see below.] (2) The claimant has the burden of proving by a p…

Section 6. The claimant shall have a continuing obligation to notify the division of a change in address. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the dismissal of the claim for compensation or the termination of a proceeding set forth in this chapter. Chapter 258C: …

Section 7. (a) Within fifteen days of completion of the investigation, the program director shall mail notice to the claimant or the attorney of record stating the amount of compensation to be paid or denied, and the reasons therefor, and the payees, if any. The program director …

Section 8. (a) Within 20 days of the date of mailing of the notice of award or denial, a claimant aggrieved by the program director's decision may request, in writing, a reconsideration of such decision. Said program director shall reconsider any order for which a request for rec…

Section 9. (a) Within thirty days of the date of mailing of the notice of award or denial by the program director, the claimant may petition for judicial review in the district court within the judicial district in which the claimant resides or, in the case of a nonresident claim…