Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1896: An Act providing for the allowance of early evidence kits

HD 4170 establishes rules for handling sexual assault evidence kits, directly affecting victims of sexual assault, hospitals, law enforcement, and crime labs. The bill requires hospitals to inform victims their evidence will be kept for at least 15 years and prohibits destruction before conviction completion, suspect death, or statute of limitations expiration. It mandates crime labs to test kits within 30 days of receipt and requires law enforcement to notify victims 60 days before destroying evidence or extend retention upon request. The law also creates specific guidelines for "Early Evidence Kits" (professional DNA collection when traditional exams aren't possible), including labeling requirements and victim access to test results.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables early DNA evidence collection for sexual assault cases, improving case resolution and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of evidence preservation and victim support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1808: An Act maintaining the integrity of sex offender classifications

HD 212 requires sex offenders seeking reclassification to prove reduced risk of re-offense with "clear and convincing evidence," shifting the burden from the Sex Offender Registry Board. The bill mandates the Board to consider prior classification data when reviewing such requests. This directly affects individuals petitioning for lower risk classifications under Massachusetts' registry system. The policy change alters the legal standard for reclassification decisions, making it more stringent for applicants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill maintains sex offender classification integrity, upholding registry system without reform, aligning with protecting criminal justice structure90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1161: An Act relative to the expungement of convictions for marijuana possession

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1161) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the expungement of convictions for marijuana possession. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpungement of marijuana possession convictions directly advances criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to employment/housing and promoting rehabilitation, aligning with key support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 15, 2025

HD 5223: An Act relative to penalties for assault and battery on a police officer

By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven George Xiarhos and others relative to penalties for assault and battery on a police officer. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assault on police officers, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator under 'oppose' stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · Massachusetts · House May 20, 2026

H 4637: An Act relative to civil rights and technology

This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, or operation of robotic devices (like drones) equipped with weapons (e.g., guns, lasers, explosives), with penalties including mandatory minimum prison sentences. It also bans using robots to threaten, harass, or physically restrain people. Key exemptions include military/defense uses (Department of Defense, National Guard, defense contractors under specific waivers) and law enforcement actions for bomb disposal, property destruction in emergencies, or training. The bill requires law enforcement to obtain warrants for robot deployments on private property or for surveillance, document all uses quarterly, and report publicly. It also allows civil lawsuits for violations and mandates public reporting of law enforcement robot usage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentences for weaponized robot offenses, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits weaponized robotic devices (drones with weapons), restricting dangerous tech applications. Exemptions for military/law enforcement don't negate core restriction on civilian use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2597: An Act relative to the definition of law enforcement officers as pertaining to possession of firearms

HD 4138 amends Massachusetts firearm laws to clarify exceptions for law enforcement officers regarding firearm possession. It updates definitions to explicitly include "qualified law enforcement officers" (as defined by federal law under 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B-926C) and "qualified retired law enforcement officers," alongside existing Massachusetts definitions under MGL Chapter 6E. The bill ensures these exceptions apply to both active and retired officers, and clarifies that security guards employed in prohibited areas during work hours are also covered. These changes affect law enforcement personnel and security professionals, removing ambiguity in existing statutes while maintaining local authority to impose additional firearm restrictions in municipal or county-controlled areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates firearm possession by law enforcement officers, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 10, 2025

HD 5305: An Act relative to no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Adam J. Scanlon relative to no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables free communication for incarcerated individuals, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1051: An Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services

SD 246 promotes diversion of juveniles from formal court processing to community supervision and services by removing barriers that previously disqualified young people from diversion programs. The bill ensures that a referral to juvenile court for a child needing assistance does not disqualify them from diversion and clarifies that diverted cases do not count as criminal complaints for certain legal purposes. It also prevents law enforcement from sending fingerprints and arrest records of juveniles (for offenses committed before age 18) to federal agencies like the FBI, except when records are being sealed. These changes aim to reduce long-term negative impacts of juvenile justice involvement by expanding access to community-based alternatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes juvenile diversion to community services, reducing incarceration and aligning with reform goals like rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2063: An Act relative to corrections officer safety

This bill strengthens penalties for assaulting corrections officers and Department of Corrections staff while they're performing their duties. It mandates a minimum 1-year prison sentence (not less than 1 year) for anyone causing serious bodily injury to these workers through assault, with fines ranging from $500 to $10,000. The law prohibits probation, parole, sentence reductions, or early release until the mandatory minimum term is served, and defines "serious bodily injury" as permanent disfigurement, loss of bodily function, or substantial risk of death. The bill directly affects corrections officers (who gain enhanced legal protection) and individuals convicted of such assaults (who face stricter sentencing).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assault on corrections officers, directly enhancing staff safety within the corrections system, a core criminal justice protection measure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill imposes penalties for assaults on corrections officers, strengthening workplace safety protections for this labor group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1923: An Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for youth

This bill (HD 3632) updates Massachusetts laws to replace all references to "18" with "the age of criminal majority" across multiple statutes. It directly affects youth involved in the juvenile justice system, particularly regarding probation periods, delinquency definitions, and youthful offender classifications. The key mechanism standardizes legal references to a defined "age of criminal majority" instead of a fixed age, allowing future adjustments to the actual age threshold through separate legislation. This change applies to sections covering probation terms (e.g., extending probation beyond age 18), definitions of "delinquent child," and youthful offender status. The bill does not set a specific new age but creates a flexible legal term for future policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses age of criminal majority to promote youth outcomes, aligning with reform indicators like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation pathways for young offenders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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