The bill builds upon the findings of the State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team's 2024 Annual Report, which highlights the need for improved responses to domestic violence fatalities in Massachusetts. It emphasizes the importance of analyzing domestic violence cases to identify systemic failures and proposes several key recommendations. These include implementing a reverse search system for active abuse protection orders, expanding access to virtual hearings for abuse prevention orders, and establishing High-Risk Teams in District Attorney offices to effectively manage complex cases. The bill also stresses the necessity of targeted outreach to immigrant and refugee communities to raise awareness of available resources and support services.

In addition to these recommendations, the bill calls for strategic investments in domestic violence prevention and support programs, particularly in light of federal funding cuts affecting initiatives like those supported by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). It aims to amend current laws to address limitations related to membership and record-sharing that hinder effective reviews of domestic violence cases. The report also highlights recent legislative advancements, including new legal language related to criminalizing sexual assault by fraud committed by medical professionals, modernizing firearms laws, and preventing abuse and exploitation, all of which contribute to a more comprehensive approach to preventing domestic violence fatalities and supporting vulnerable individuals in the community.