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The Victims of Drunk Driving Trust Fund (DDTF) was enacted on March 8, 2002. According to the enabling statute, anyone who is convicted, placed on probation, granted a continuance without a finding, pleads guilty to, or admits to a finding of sufficient facts for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances is subject to an assessment of $50. The courts collect this assessment, which is not subject to waiver for any reason. The state treasurer is the custodian of the fund and the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) is charged with awarding and administering grants from this fund.
As stated in the enabling statute, grants are awarded "to community-based programs in the commonwealth to provide counseling and support services to victims of accidents caused by persons driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol."
In the fall of 2002, in accordance with the requirement of the Drunk Driving Trust Fund enabling statute, MOVA met with representatives of the Massachusetts Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse to establish criteria for the distribution of these funds to service providers. In the fall of 2003, MOVA awarded several 9-month awards in the first year of DDTF subgrant distribution.
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