Criminal Justice in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2025

H 2686: An Act relative to police interactions with persons on the autism spectrum

By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2686) of David M. Rogers and others relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 11, 2025

H 4372: An Act related to indigency

H 4372 revises Massachusetts' definition of "indigent" to include individuals receiving specific public benefits (like SNAP or TAFDC), those with income at or below 125% of the federal poverty line, or those unable to pay court fees without sacrificing basic needs like food or shelter (excluding inmates without following specific procedures). It requires courts to order probation officers to reassess indigency status when doubtful, with written reports confirming eligibility. The bill also mandates quarterly reports to legislative committees tracking indigency determinations, misrepresentations of financial information, and changes in eligibility. These changes directly affect people involved in court cases seeking fee waivers or appointed counsel. The bill focuses on clarifying eligibility criteria and improving verification processes for court financial assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2558: An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder

This bill creates standardized blue envelopes to improve police interactions with people who have autism. The envelopes, designed by the state police with input from autism advocates, will include written communication tips for officers and instructions for attaching them to car sun visors. They will also hold a person's driver's license, registration, and insurance cards. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will provide these envelopes upon request to autistic individuals, their parents, or guardians, starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4025: An Act providing equity and fairness to POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease

HD 4025 amends a state law to extend disability benefits for POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease to additional police forces. The bill adds the University of Massachusetts police, Massachusetts Port Authority police, state university and community college police, environmental law enforcement, and Department of Mental Health campus police to the list of covered entities. Previously, officers in these forces were excluded from the same benefit provision that applied to entities like the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. This change directly affects POST-certified officers in these newly included forces by making them eligible for the same cardiac disability benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1329: An Act relative to the release of sex offender information to victims

This bill amends Massachusetts law to require the Board of Probation to inform enrolled victims about specific sex offender details upon request. Victims who have joined the Board's victim services unit will receive the offender's final classification and addresses (home, secondary, work, and school). The provision directly affects victims who are enrolled in the services unit, adding a specific notification requirement to existing processes. It does not change offender classification standards or create new penalties, only clarifying victim notification procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 1416: An Act relative to voting rights restoration

This bill (SD 1416) removes voting restrictions for people with past felony convictions who have completed their sentences. It amends voting laws by deleting language that previously excluded individuals "except if by reason of a felony conviction" and "or incarcerated in a correctional facility due to a felony conviction." The change directly affects eligible voters who were previously barred from voting solely due to a past felony conviction, regardless of their current incarceration status. The bill restores their voting rights without requiring additional steps or petitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

introduced · Massachusetts · House Apr 14, 2025

HD 4546: A communication from the Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities (see item 7004-9030 of Section 2 of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024) submitting the Stable Start legislative report for fiscal year 2025

HD 4546 is a procedural communication from the Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) submitting the required FY2025 report on the Stable Start program. The report details two reentry housing initiatives: permanent housing vouchers for individuals 55+ (excluding sex offenders) and sponsor-based transitional housing for 18-25 year olds and broader adult populations leaving prison, including funding allocations ($20,316/year average for vouchers, $21,429/year for sponsor programs), participant demographics (e.g., 25.8% Black/African American for vouchers), and service details like housing placement and post-release support.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2894: An Act providing civil legal remedies for victims of economic abuse

HD 2894 creates a new legal process for victims of economic abuse - defined as debts incurred due to identity theft, fraud, or coercion by family/household members (per G.L. c. 209A) or caretakers of elders/disabled individuals (per G.L. c. 265, §13K) - to challenge debts. Victims can submit a "Statement of Debt incurred through Economic Abuse" with supporting documentation (e.g., police reports, court orders, or verified statements from qualified third parties like healthcare providers or law enforcement). Upon receipt, creditors must immediately stop collection efforts, remove negative credit reports, return any payments made, and notify victims in writing within 10 business days. This law directly affects victims of abuse and their creditors, requiring clear, bilingual (English/Spanish) communication and streamlined resolution of disputed debts.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1489: An Act to ensure access to medical parole

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1707) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to remove barriers to medical parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1455: An Act relative to civil commitments and the appeal of those commitments

This bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify court procedures for civil commitments related to alcohol or substance abuse disorders. It updates references to "Appeals Court" instead of "appellate division" and adds that initial reviews of such commitments (under Chapter 123, Section 35) must follow the same process as Superior Court reviews for pre-trial detentions (Chapter 276, Section 58A). The bill also expands jurisdiction for civil commitment orders to include Boston Municipal Court civil sessions, alongside District Court. These changes streamline how courts handle initial reviews of commitments, directly affecting individuals subject to court-ordered treatment for substance abuse.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

All criminal justice bills