An Act expanding access to victim compensation

This bill (SD 1649) updates Massachusetts victim compensation rules by increasing the maximum funeral and burial expense reimbursement to $15,000 and expanding eligibility to include legal guardians, dependents, and other family members of crime victims. It also extends the deadline for filing claims from the previous timeframe to five years after the crime occurs. These changes directly affect families of crime victims seeking financial assistance for funeral costs in Massachusetts. The bill modifies specific sections of Chapter 258C of the General Laws to implement these concrete policy updates.