Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1129: An Act to eliminate standard conditions in probation

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1129) of Adam Gomez for legislation to eliminate standard conditions in probation. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates blanket probation conditions, reducing unnecessary restrictions and aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1695: An Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services

By Representative Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1695) of Brandy Fluker-Reid, Erika Uyterhoeven and Russell E. Holmes relative to promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes juvenile diversion to community services, reducing incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and recidivism reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 417: An Act to enhance the rights of crime victims in the Commonwealth

This bill (SD 417) enhances rights for victims of violent crimes like homicide and sexual assault in Massachusetts. It expands who qualifies as a "family member" to include grandparents and partners in relationships similar to marriage, and adds new definitions for "limited English proficient" victims and "vital documents." Key provisions require courts to notify victims of sentencing and probation hearings, guarantee their right to submit written or oral impact statements at sentencing (even in cases with plea deals), and ensure access to free language services. The bill also creates a commission to evaluate victim notification systems related to bail and court proceedings. These changes directly affect crime victims and their families by improving access to court processes and support services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim rights and court notification requirements, aligning with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights of crime victims in sentencing proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing Victims' Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2987: An Act to secure housing for returning citizens

HD 2987 creates a state program to help formerly incarcerated people secure housing. The Department of Housing will coordinate a "reentry and formerly incarcerated persons program" requiring agencies to provide housing assistance before and after release, including financial support like housing vouchers. The bill mandates annual reviews of housing programs to track who benefits (using demographic data) and improve services based on feedback from formerly incarcerated people. It also adds priority preferences for this group in multiple state-funded housing initiatives, including affordable housing projects and public housing developments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for housing assistance (vouchers) and program coordination, directly increasing public service funding for a new state program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates housing program for formerly incarcerated people to reduce recidivism, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation services and reentry support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates housing vouchers and program for formerly incarcerated people, directly advancing housing access for vulnerable group through state-funded assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3632: 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 JusticeUpdates juvenile justice statutes to standardize 'age of criminal majority' references, enabling future adjustments for better youth outcomes and reducing outdated legal barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3434: An Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services

This bill (HD 3434) expands access to community-based diversion programs for youth in Massachusetts juvenile court. It directly affects minors charged with eligible offenses who would otherwise face formal court proceedings. Key changes include: removing barriers that previously disqualified youth from diversion (like referrals to court), requiring law enforcement to stop sharing juvenile arrest records with federal agencies like the FBI, and clarifying that diverted cases don’t count as criminal complaints. The bill also specifies which offenses (such as minor traffic violations or certain low-level crimes) still allow diversion, while excluding serious charges like violent offenses. These changes aim to reduce juvenile justice system involvement for non-violent cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile diversion to community services, removes barriers to rehabilitation, and prevents criminal record retention - core criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1813: An Act promoting fairness in parole

By Representative Keefe of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1813) of Mary S. Keefe and Patricia A. Duffy relative to the temporary custody of parolees. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes fairness in parole process, directly aligning with criminal justice reform goals like equitable treatment and system improvement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 310: An Act to prevent the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences based on juvenile adjudications

This bill prevents Massachusetts courts from using juvenile court findings (such as delinquency or youthful offender rulings) as prior convictions to impose enhanced sentences on adults or juveniles. It amends state law to explicitly state that juvenile adjudications - including those from other states - cannot trigger sentencing enhancements, and clarifies that these findings will not be counted as prior offenses. Additionally, the bill requires resentencing for current inmates serving sentences based on such juvenile findings, without increasing their sentence length, probation, or parole terms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents mandatory minimum sentences using juvenile adjudications, reducing harsh sentencing and advancing criminal justice reform by protecting youth from lifelong penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 851: An Act relative to community corrections

This bill establishes a new Office of Community Justice Programs within the Commissioner of Probation to oversee community-based alternatives to incarceration. It defines three key program types: "Intensive Supervision with Treatment" (for moderate/high-risk offenders), pretrial services, and reentry programs, all operated by state, local, or private agencies. The bill requires agencies to submit detailed "community justice plans" outlining program content, costs, and evidence-based practices for state funding approval. It prohibits using Intensive Supervision with Treatment as a replacement for mandatory prison sentences and clarifies that probation departments may use these programs for eligible defendants under specific conditions. The law directly affects courts, probation departments, community service providers, and individuals in the criminal justice system facing sentencing, pretrial release, or reentry.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates community-based alternatives to incarceration via new Office of Community Justice Programs, emphasizing evidence-based practices and reducing reliance on prison, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 853: An Act related to educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults

HD 853 requires state prisons and county correctional facilities to provide specific educational programming for incarcerated individuals aged 18-25 who lack a high school diploma or equivalent. The bill mandates at least one high school equivalency program (like HiSET) with testing, plus specialized classes in college readiness, vocational training, or workforce development. Facilities must offer a minimum of four hours of daily educational programming, with at least four hours spent in group settings (not in cells), and maximize in-cell tablet learning as supplemental time. This directly affects emerging adults in custody by expanding access to credentials and skills training to support reentry.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates educational programming in corrections for incarcerated youth to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates educational programming for incarcerated youth, expanding access to high school equivalency and workforce training programs in correctional facilities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates vocational training and workforce development for incarcerated individuals, directly supporting re-entry employment and improving workforce readiness, aligning with Labor & Employment goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Career & Technical Education Workforce Development

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