S 996 establishes a state-administered reentry housing program to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure stable housing after release. The program, managed by the state department of housing, will coordinate with correctional facilities and community organizations to provide housing options, short-term housing assistance, and financial supports like housing vouchers. It requires all state-funded housing programs (including those under Chapters 40B, 40H, and 40R) to prioritize formerly incarcerated people and those about to be released. The department must annually review these programs, collect demographic data, and report outcomes to legislative committees on housing and community development.
H 4465 requires Massachusetts criminal justice agencies - including trial courts, probation services, parole boards, the Department of Correction, county jails, and district attorneys - to standardize data collection on individuals entering the system. Agencies must use unique statewide identifiers for cross-tracking, collect demographic details (race, ethnicity, gender, age), offense information, and recidivism rates (re-arrest, reconviction, reincarceration) tracked over 1-3 years. Data must be anonymized and publicly accessible via online portals, with annual reports published by the Executive Office of Public Safety. The Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board will review compliance quarterly and submit annual reports to lawmakers on data collection and policy adherence.
By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4026) of Russell E. Holmes relative to the powers of certain employees of the parole board and correctional institutions. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Worrell of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2052) of Christopher J. Worrell and others relative to parole and establishing a restorative justice program. The Judiciary.
By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1791) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others for legislation to establish mandatory post release supervision. The Judiciary.
By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1084) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to promote fairness in parole. The Judiciary.
S 1128 implements specific recommendations from a commission that studied racial disparities in the parole process. The bill directly affects individuals navigating parole decisions within the state's criminal justice system. Key provisions require state parole boards to adopt new procedures and data collection methods to address identified racial biases. These changes aim to create a more equitable parole process by mandating transparency and accountability measures based on the commission's findings.
By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1960) of David M. Rogers and Joanne M. Comerford relative to establishing presumptive parole using structured, actuarially-based guidelines. The Judiciary.
By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1848) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian relative to judicial discretion for probation. The Judiciary.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1162) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to judicial discretion for probation. The Judiciary.
