Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1732: An Act amending the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child

By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1732) of Kenneth I. Gordon and Natalie M. Blais relative to the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for child sexual assault prosecutions, enabling more victims to seek justice and aligns with civil rights protections in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1733: An Act relative to the age of consent in certain criminal prosecutions and civil actions for sexual assault and rape of a child

By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1733) of Kenneth I. Gordon and Natalie M. Blais relative to the age of consent in certain criminal prosecutions and civil actions for sexual assault and rape of a child. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill raises age of consent to strengthen prosecution of child sexual assault, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect minors' rights and ensure proper legal accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate May 18, 2026

S 2623: An Act promoting community immunity

Senate, October 14, 2025 -- The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1618) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael J. Barrett, Erika Uyterhoeven, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote community immunity, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2623).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTitle 'promoting community immunity' aligns with criminal justice reform indicators like community-based solutions and prevention, implying support for systemic improvement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5294: An Act exempting the positions of police lieutenant and police sergeant in the city of Leominster from the civil service law

This bill exempts police lieutenant and sergeant positions in the City of Leominster from Massachusetts' civil service law requirements. It directly affects Leominster police officers holding these specific ranks by removing them from standard civil service hiring and promotion processes. The key provision is a simple legislative change to exempt these roles from Chapter 31 of General Laws, effective upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExempts police lieutenant/sergeant roles from civil service, reducing merit-based oversight and accountability in law enforcement hiring/promotions.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts police ranks from civil service protections, removing standard hiring/promotion safeguards under Chapter 31 of General Laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Public Employees

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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

By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1584) of Bruce J. Ayers that provision be made for a minimum mandatory sentence for the willful destruction of burial tombs and grave markers. The Judiciary.

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 1868: An Act requiring only a justice to remove a trial default of a defendant who fails to appear at trial

By Representative Markey of Dartmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1868) of Christopher M. Markey relative to the removal of a trial default of defendants who fail to appear at trial. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables justices to remove trial defaults for missing defendants, reducing automatic penalties and protecting defendant rights within court procedures.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1731: An Act amending the victim of violent crime compensation law

By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1731) of Kenneth I. Gordon for legislation to provide certain persons who were abused as a child with compensation from the Division of Victim Compensation and Assistance within the Department of the Attorney General. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides compensation for child abuse victims through victim services, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim support and protection within the judicial system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1154: An Act relative to visitation and family court matters in domestic violence cases

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1154) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to visitation and family court matters in domestic violence cases. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses domestic violence case procedures in family courts, enhancing victim safety and court oversight within criminal justice system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 1035: An Act relative to increasing transparency in juvenile court proceedings

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1035) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation relative to increase transparency in juvenile court proceedings. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases transparency in juvenile court proceedings, promoting accountability in criminal justice reform within the judicial system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1849: An Act relative to archaic laws

By Representatives Livingstone of Boston and Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1849) of Jay D. Livingstone, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and others for legislation to repeal certain archaic laws and to establish a permanent law revision commission (including members of the General Court) to examine common laws and statutes. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill repeals archaic laws and creates commission to review statutes (including Judiciary), aligning with criminal justice reform by modernizing outdated legal frameworks.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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