Massachusetts General Laws Part IV. Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases (Ch. 263-280) Ch. 276B, § 1

As used in this chapter the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:--

“Community-based restorative justice program”, a voluntary program established on restorative justice principles that engages parties to a crime or members of the community in order to develop a plan of repair that addresses the needs of the parties and the community. Programs may include the parties to a case, their supporters and community members or 1-on-1 dialogues between a victim and an offender.

“Restorative justice”, a voluntary process whereby offenders, victims and members of the community collectively identify and address harms, needs and obligations resulting from an offense, in order to understand the impact of that offense; provided, however, that an offender shall accept responsibility for their actions and the process shall support the offender as the offender makes reparation to the victim or to the community in which the harm occurred.