Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 10, 2025

H 2614: An Act relative to medical parole

HD 916 (An Act relative to medical parole) modifies Massachusetts' medical parole process. It limits incarcerated individuals with serious health conditions to one medical parole petition per year, unless their health condition changes significantly. If a petition is based on a significant health change, officials may deny reconsideration if they determine the change isn't substantial enough. This bill directly affects incarcerated people seeking medical parole and clarifies the timing for victim notification when petitions are denied.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMedical parole reduces prison populations for terminally ill inmates, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of compassionate sentencing and reducing unnecessary incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 4218: An Act to reform the parole board

The bill text for HD 1751 ("An Act to reform the parole board") is incomplete, as it only states "DRAFT BEING WORKED ON BY HOUSE COUNSEL" with no substantive provisions described. Without access to the actual content of the proposed reforms, key details about who would be affected, specific mechanisms, or policy changes cannot be determined. The draft status indicates it is still under development and not yet finalized. Therefore, a factual summary of this bill's provisions cannot be provided at this time.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly seeks to reform the parole board, a core criminal justice component, aligning with reform goals like improving oversight and reducing recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2051: An Act to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults

HD 819 redefines "Transformational Youth" as individuals under 21 convicted of certain violent crimes (first/second-degree murder or specific manslaughter) who received life sentences. It ends mandatory lifetime parole for this group by requiring the Parole Board to issue a sentence termination certificate after three years of lawful parole. The law applies retroactively to those already serving life sentences under these conditions, counting prior parole time toward the three-year requirement. It mandates specific timelines for parole officers and the Parole Board to process terminations and notify victims, sentencing judges, and correctional authorities. This directly affects people currently incarcerated under these specific sentencing scenarios.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds lifetime parole for juveniles, reducing harsh sentencing and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1653: An Act relative to firearm industry accountability and gun violence victims’ access to justice

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1653) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Jason M. Lewis, David Paul Linsky, Christopher Richard Flanagan and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to firearm industry accountability and gun violence victims’ access to justice. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances victims' access to justice in gun violence cases, aligning with criminal justice reform by promoting accountability and victim rights within the system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 968: An Act promoting access to counsel and housing stability in Massachusetts

SD 1771 establishes a statewide Access to Counsel Program in Massachusetts to provide free legal representation to low-income tenants and owner-occupants facing housing-related legal actions, such as evictions or termination of housing subsidies. Eligible individuals must qualify as indigent (e.g., receiving public assistance, earning ≤80% of area median income, or unable to afford legal fees without hardship). The program, funded by dedicated state appropriations and administered by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, requires landlords to provide a standardized form explaining legal aid eligibility to tenants. Designated nonprofit organizations will deliver full legal counsel through partner attorneys, with oversight from an advisory committee and a phased 5-year implementation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes right to counsel pilot program, directly advancing criminal justice reform by protecting defendants' rights and ensuring fair representation in court.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes housing stability and homelessness prevention through a right to counsel pilot program, directly addressing tenant protections and housing access in Massachusetts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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signed · Massachusetts · House Dec 12, 2025

H 4645: An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker

This bill (H 4645, now Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2025) increases penalties for assaulting public transit workers while they are on duty. It makes it a crime to commit assault and battery - including using bodily substances like blood or saliva - against a transit worker performing their job, punishable by 90 days to 2.5 years in jail or fines of $500 to $5,000. The law specifically defines "bodily substance" to include human secretions such as saliva, urine, or feces. It directly affects transit workers by strengthening legal protections during their work. The bill was enacted in late 2025 after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor’s signature.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting transit workers, expanding criminalization of bodily substance assaults with harsher sentences (90 days-2.5 years), opposing reform efforts.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects transit workers' safety by increasing penalties for assault during work duties, directly advancing workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances public transit safety by increasing penalties for assaulting transit workers, directly protecting workers performing transportation duties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Public Transit

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 3827: Resolutions urging the Congress of the United States to update the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 and remove excessive training requirements mandated for obtaining a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine

This Massachusetts resolution urges Congress to eliminate an 8-hour training requirement and exam needed for physicians to prescribe buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid addiction). Current rules - unlike those for other similar drugs - require a special DEA waiver, which the resolution argues creates unnecessary barriers to treatment. The resolution has no direct effect but seeks to prompt federal action on updating the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000. It specifically targets the prescribing process for buprenorphine, not broader opioid policy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes excessive training barriers for buprenorphine prescribing, expanding access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. This supports criminal justice reform by improving rehabilitation and reducing recidivism linked to sub...90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves excessive training barriers for buprenorphine prescribing, improving access to addiction treatment services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1087: An Act to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1087) of James B. Eldridge, Brandy Fluker-Reid, Christopher J. Worrell, Joanne M. Comerford and others for legislation to abolish sentences of life without parole for individuals who committed crimes while they were considered minors or young adults. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds life without parole for minors, advancing juvenile justice reform by reducing harsh sentencing per bill's explicit abolition of L.W.O.P. for juveniles95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1165: An Act amending the statute of limitations regarding criminal prosecutions for the crimes of sexual assault and rape of a child

SD 1376 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual assault and rape cases involving child victims. It allows prosecutors to file charges at any time after the crime occurred, provided the victim was under 18 when the offense happened. The law specifically applies to "indecent assault and battery" and "rape" charges under Chapter 277 of the General Laws. This change ensures these crimes can be prosecuted regardless of when the victim reports the incident or comes forward.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for child sexual assault prosecutions, enabling delayed reporting and holding perpetrators accountable - key criminal justice reform aligned with victim protection and justice access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1812: An Act to promote timely access to parole hearings

This bill (HD 1442) changes how parole hearings are conducted for inmates in Massachusetts. It requires the parole board to hold public hearings for inmates with life sentences 60 days before their minimum term expires, using 5 of 7 designated members. The bill mandates specific professional qualifications for board members: at least 1 forensic psychologist and 2 with social services/reentry experience must serve on life sentence hearing panels, with similar requirements for regular parole hearings. These changes directly affect inmates serving life sentences and those under standard parole terms, aiming to standardize panel composition and ensure timely hearings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes timely parole access, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and improving reintegration through streamlined hearings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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