Criminal Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 391: An Act relative to the protection of police officers

This bill (SD 391) adds a mandatory minimum 25-year prison sentence for anyone who intentionally uses a gun to assault specific public safety officers while they are performing their duties. It directly affects police officers, firefighters, correctional staff, and other law enforcement personnel listed in the bill. The key provision requires a 25-year minimum sentence for assaults involving firearms or large-capacity weapons against these officers during work. The law targets intentional attacks to protect officers responding to emergencies or performing official duties. This is a criminal penalty change, not a new program or funding measure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory 25-year minimum for assaulting officers increases punitive sentencing, directly opposing reform-focused criminal justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing Sentencing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1547: An Act relative to fentanyl arrests (Tatiana's Law)

This bill (HD 1547, "Tatiana's Law") requires a 6-hour minimum hold before bail can be set for individuals arrested for fentanyl trafficking (specifically violations of Chapter 94C sections 32, 32E, or 32F). It directly affects adults (18+) arrested for these offenses, preventing release by clerks, bail commissioners, or others and mandating that only a judge in open court can grant bail within that timeframe. The law also requires bail authorities to access criminal records, probation files, and police reports before setting release conditions to ensure court appearance and community safety. These changes apply specifically to fentanyl-related trafficking charges, not general drug offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 6-hour hold before bail for fentanyl trafficking, restricting defendant release options and increasing enforcement stringency per Chapter 94C violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Policing Probation & Parole

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 647: An Act relative to illegal drug and firearm trafficking

SD 647 (An Act relative to illegal drug and firearm trafficking) increases penalties for individuals convicted of both drug trafficking under specific Massachusetts laws and firearm trafficking or theft. If someone is found guilty of trafficking drugs under sections 32E(c) or (c1/2) *and* of trafficking or stealing firearms under sections 10E, 10I, 10J, or 10K, they face up to life in prison and a $500,000 fine. The bill mandates consecutive sentencing with no possibility of reduced sentences for good conduct, furlough, or work release, and prohibits prosecutors from dismissing charges without a trial. This directly affects people convicted of both drug and firearm crimes, imposing stricter penalties than standard sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life sentences and $500k fines for combined drug/firearm trafficking, expanding criminalization and eliminating reduced sentencing options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 333: An Act relative to dangerous high speed pursuits

HD 333 creates new penalties for drivers who recklessly evade police during high-speed pursuits. It makes it a crime to refuse to stop for an officer in uniform (displaying a badge) and then operate a vehicle negligently or recklessly in public areas to endanger others, with the intent to avoid arrest. Offenders face up to 5 years in state prison, 2.5 years in jail, or a $2,500 fine. Additionally, a mandatory $250 assessment is added for convicted individuals, with all funds going directly to the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund, and this fee cannot be reduced or waived.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes stricter penalties (up to 5 years) for reckless evasion of police, expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4222: An Act to enhance the authority of courts to protect public safety

HD 4222 allows Massachusetts court officers to detain non-citizens for up to 12 hours at the direction of a judicial officer, specifically when ICE provides a written request and an arrest warrant, and the judicial officer determines the person poses a public safety threat based on specific criminal convictions. It directly affects court officers, judicial officers, and non-citizens with certain prior convictions (e.g., terrorism, gang-related offenses, violent crimes, or specific felonies). The bill requires judicial officers to document reasons for denying ICE requests and maintains these records publicly, while also requiring judges to consider ICE detainer requests when setting bail. It does not create new immigration enforcement powers but modifies court procedures for handling ICE requests related to public safety. The bill focuses on concrete procedural changes within existing legal frameworks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands detention authority for non-citizens with specific convictions, increasing enforcement powers rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates state court cooperation with ICE by allowing 12-hour detentions of non-citizens with specific criminal convictions, directly increasing state-level immigration enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1689: An Act eliminating no cost calls for violent incarcerated individuals

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1689) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to eliminate no cost calls for violent incarcerated individuals. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEliminates free calls for violent inmates, restricting communication rights and aligning with punitive correctional policies rather than reform.85% confidence

Tags Public Safety

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1794: An Act relative to school and public threats

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1794) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to the penalties for knowingly communicating false reports of active shooting incidents at schools. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes penalties for false active-shooter reports, expanding criminalization of non-violent speech, opposing reform efforts to reduce punitive measures.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1707: An Act relative to the reckless evasion of a police officer

By Representative Galvin of Canton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1707) of William C. Galvin relative to the reckless evasion of police officers. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes reckless evasion of police, expanding criminalization of traffic offenses, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increased penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 728: An Act relative to the reckless evasion of a police officer

HD 728 creates new penalties for drivers who recklessly flee police officers. It imposes fines ($100-$1,000), up to two years in jail, or both for evading officers while endangering people or property. A conviction also requires a 60-day driver's license suspension. The law specifically defines reckless evasion as causing property damage or committing three or more traffic violations during the evasion. This directly affects drivers who flee police under these conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes stricter penalties (fines, jail, license suspension) for reckless evasion, increasing criminalization and mandatory sentences per bill definition.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances traffic safety through stricter penalties for reckless evasion, directly addressing vehicle regulation and driver safety under transportation policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licensing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1259: An Act relative to certain offenses

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand when prosecutors can request pretrial detention based on dangerousness. It adds specific offenses to the list where a judge may order detention before trial, including repeated traffic violations (like DUIs), domestic violence offenses under chapters 209A/C, and certain violent or felony crimes. Defendants charged with any of these listed offenses could face pretrial detention if the court finds them dangerous. The change affects individuals facing these specific charges by modifying pretrial release procedures.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands pretrial detention for offenses like repeated DUIs and domestic violence, reducing defendant rights and increasing criminalization without reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Judges

Track