Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1999: An Act establishing a permanent commission to study the service standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers

By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1999) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida for legislation to establish a permanent commission (including members of the General Court) to study the service standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to study service standards for sexual assault/domestic violence providers, aiming to improve victim services within criminal justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1180: An Act expanding access to victim compensation

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1180) of Liz Miranda for legislation to expand access to victim compensation. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim compensation access, supporting victims' rights within criminal justice system per Judiciary committee focus85% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 1645: An Act to update expungement

By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1645) of Michael S. Day relative to the protection of sealed court records. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates expungement process to protect sealed records, aiding criminal justice reform and rehabilitation by reducing barriers for individuals with past convictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 24, 2025

S 1413: An Act to promote victim service funding

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1413) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to promote the victim service fund with revenues received by the commonwealth from public and private sources as gifts, grants and donations. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes victim service funding, a direct component of criminal justice support systems, aligning with reform goals to assist crime victims.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly promotes victim services funding with focus on mental health and substance use recovery, directly supporting healthcare services in this area.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Substance Abuse

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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

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1716) of Colleen M. Garry for legislation to prohibit court ordered visitation rights to persons convicted of criminal offenses against minors. The Judiciary.

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 23, 2026

H 2585: An Act relative to police chief reform and improvement – certification act

By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2585) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon relative to police chief reform, improvement and certification. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill focuses on police chief reform and certification, enhancing accountability standards in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 18, 2025

H 3313: An Act transferring Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3313) of Marjorie C. Decker, Susannah M. Whipps and Rodney M. Elliott for legislation to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransferring a correctional hospital to mental health department aligns with reform by prioritizing specialized care over incarceration for mental health needs, reducing recidivism through proper treatment.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital to Department of Mental Health directly strengthens mental health services, a core healthcare component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 874: An Act strengthening mental health centers

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 874) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge, James K. Hawkins, David Paul Linsky and other members of the General Court for legislation to strengthen mental health centers. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthening mental health centers supports criminal justice reform by improving rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism through better mental health services.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to strengthen mental health centers, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 2, 2025

SD 3247: Middlesex District Attorney -- 2025 Forfeiture Report

Report of the Middlesex District Attorney (pursuant to Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting its 2025 report relative to the use of monies in the law enforcement trust fund for the purposes of drug rehabilitation, drug education, and other anti-drug or neighborhood crime watch programs

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting on law enforcement trust fund use for drug rehab, education, and crime prevention programs, directly funding rehabilitation initiatives aligned with criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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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

By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton and Senator Cronin, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4177) of Meghan K. Kilcoyne and John J. Cronin (by vote of the town) that the town of Lancaster be authorized to exempt certain positions of the police department in said town from the civil service law. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

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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