Criminal Justice

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 8, 2026

HD 6259: An Act related to minimum sentencing for persons convicted of rape

By Representatives Thurber of Somerset and Silvia of Fall River, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Justin Thurber for legislation to establish minimum mandatory sentencing for persons convicted of rape. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill establishes minimum mandatory sentencing for rape, which increases mandatory sentences and restricts judicial discretion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 21, 2026

H 5444: An Act relative to civil rights and technology

This bill amends Massachusetts law to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and operation of robotic devices equipped with weapons, while allowing exceptions for law enforcement, the military, and specific testing or educational uses. It establishes strict penalties for violating these rules, including mandatory prison sentences without the possibility of probation or parole, and criminalizes using such robots to threaten, harass, or physically restrain individuals. Additionally, the legislation requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before deploying armed robots on private property or for surveillance, mandates quarterly public reporting on their use, and grants individuals the right to sue for damages if the law is violated.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by prohibiting robotic weapons and mandates strict prison sentences without probation, limiting law enforcement tools and increasing penalties.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts the manufacture and sale of robotic devices equipped with weapons, limiting the deployment of this specific technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 5136: An Act increasing the maximum amount of penalties which may be imposed for violations of ordinances in the city of Newton

This bill raises the maximum penalty for violating Newton city ordinances from an unspecified prior limit to $2,000. It directly affects Newton residents and businesses who breach local rules, such as zoning or noise regulations. The law requires automatic inflation adjustments to the $2,000 cap every five years starting in 2026, using the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area's Consumer Price Index. The change applies only to Newton's local ordinances and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for minor municipal ordinance violations, expanding criminalization without reform elements, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4996: An Act relative to the punishment of organized retail crimes

This bill (H 4996) amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for organized retail crimes. It adds a specific sentencing option allowing courts to impose up to 2.5 years in a house of correction for certain retail theft offenses, updating two sections of the criminal code (Chapter 266, Section 30D and Chapter 218, Section 26). The change directly affects individuals convicted of organized retail theft, providing judges with a new sentencing tool. The bill focuses on modifying existing criminal penalties rather than creating new programs or policies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for retail theft with 2.5-year house of correction sentencing, directly expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4998: An Act relative to offenses while driving on a non-administrative license suspension

Bill H 4998 increases penalties for drivers who operate a vehicle while their license is suspended or revoked and cause harm. It establishes three penalty tiers based on injury severity: up to 2.5 years in jail or $1,000 for minor injury, up to 5 years in prison or $3,000 for serious injury, and up to 10 years in prison or $5,000 for causing death. The bill mandates automatic license revocation for 60 days to 2 years after conviction (longer for severe cases) and prohibits probation or parole for serious violations. It applies specifically to drivers who were ineligible for a license or had a suspended license due to prior violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences (up to 10 years) and prohibits probation/parole, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and reduced defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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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 · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1773: An Act creating the ability of police officers to demand FID, LTC or proof of exempt status

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1773) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create the ability of police officers to demand FID, LTC or proof of exempt status. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill grants police authority to demand FID/LTC proof, expanding enforcement powers without reform focus, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1584: An Act establishing a mandatory sentence for destruction, defacement or damage to burial tombs and grave markers

HD 2172 establishes a mandatory minimum 6-month prison sentence for anyone convicted of damaging or defacing burial tombs or grave markers. It directly affects individuals who vandalize cemetery sites, imposing strict sentencing requirements with no possibility of probation, parole, or sentence reduction below six months. The bill also requires fines of at least $1,000 and mandates that prosecutions proceed without delay or dismissal. These provisions aim to strengthen penalties for crimes targeting burial sites, ensuring consistent and severe consequences for offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentence for grave destruction, increasing sentencing severity without reform focus. Aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1716: An Act prohibiting court ordered visitation rights to any persons convicted of criminal offenses against a minor

This bill prohibits courts from ordering unsupervised visitation between parents convicted of specific crimes against minors and their children. It directly affects parents convicted of offenses listed in Chapter 265 (e.g., sexual abuse, child endangerment) and Chapter 272 (e.g., child exploitation, trafficking) of the Massachusetts General Laws. The prohibition applies unless the child is of "suitable age" to consent and a court-appointed guardian ad litem determines the visitation is in the child’s best interest. The bill amends Sections 28 of Chapter 208 and Section 37 of Chapter 209 in the General Laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill explicitly prohibits visitation rights for offenders convicted of crimes against minors, reducing defendant rights in criminal justice context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 4177: An Act exempting certain positions of the police department in the town of Lancaster from the civil service law

This bill allows the town of Lancaster to exempt specific police department positions from Massachusetts' civil service law. It directly affects Lancaster's police hiring and promotion processes for those designated roles. The key provision permits the town to bypass standard civil service requirements (like competitive exams) for these positions, giving local officials more flexibility in staffing decisions. The bill requires approval from Lancaster's town government to take effect.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExempting police positions from civil service law weakens standard hiring oversight, aligning with 'weakens oversight of law enforcement' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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