Section 81 Victim Compensation Program Transfer 3

Section 1 of chapter 258C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of "Catastrophic injury" and inserting in place thereof the following 2 definitions:-

          "Agency", the Massachusetts office for victim assistance, which administers the provisions of chapter 258B on behalf of the victim and witness assistance board.

          "Catastrophic injury", an injury that creates a permanent impairment for the victim, including: (i) a spinal cord injury involving paralysis; (ii) amputation of an arm, hand, foot or leg; (iii) severe brain injury; (iv) second or third degree burns on 25 per cent or more of the total body surface or third degree burns on 5 per cent or more of the face and hands; (v) total or functional loss of vision or hearing; (vi) severe communication, sensory or motor disturbances; or (vii) any other injury that would otherwise qualify pursuant to this chapter.

This section, together with related sections, transfers the Victim Compensation program from the Attorney General's Office to the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance.