The 2024 Annual Report from the State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team highlights the ongoing efforts in Massachusetts to address domestic violence fatalities through comprehensive analysis and recommendations. This year, the team reviewed three fatalities and provided suggestions to enhance intervention strategies, increase community awareness, and expand access to resources for victims. Legislative actions taken by the Healey-Driscoll Administration include criminalizing sexual assault by fraud, modernizing firearms laws, and preventing abuse and exploitation. The report emphasizes the importance of understanding domestic violence data to inform effective interventions and the need for continued efforts in prevention programming and survivor support.

The bill aims to improve the understanding and prevention of domestic violence fatalities by implementing key recommendations such as a reverse search system for active abuse protection orders, expanding access to virtual hearings, and establishing High-Risk Teams in District Attorney offices. It also emphasizes targeted outreach to immigrant and refugee communities and investment in child witness programs. To facilitate these improvements, the bill proposes strategic investments in domestic violence prevention programs affected by federal funding cuts and calls for legislative amendments to MGL Chapter 6A, Section 18N, to enhance the effectiveness of domestic violence fatality reviews. By adopting these measures, the bill seeks to create a more coordinated approach to addressing domestic violence, ultimately aiming to reduce fatalities and improve community safety.