Criminal Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4261: An Act repealing red flag laws

This bill repeals Massachusetts' red flag law framework by removing key provisions from state law. It eliminates sections of Chapter 135 (2024 Acts) related to firearm restrictions, including sections 76-85, and deletes corresponding sections (131R, 131S-Y) in Chapter 140 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The bill specifically removes definitions for "Petition," "Petitioner," and "Respondent" that governed the red flag process. This directly affects individuals who could have been subject to temporary firearm removal orders under the repealed law, as well as law enforcement handling such cases. The bill effectually ends the legal mechanism for emergency firearm removals in Massachusetts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals red flag laws, a criminal justice tool for preventing gun violence by removing firearms from at-risk individuals, weakening public safety measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 985: An Act to build restorative family and community connection

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1720) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Mike Connolly, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to regulating visits in state prisons and correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates prison visitation to strengthen family connections, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in corrections (core criminal justice reform principles).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Massachusetts · House May 1, 2025

HD 4591: A communication from the Office of the Worcester County District Attorney (see Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting a report on its law enforcement trust funds for drug rehabilitation, drug education and other drug or neighborhood crime watch programs for fiscal year 2024

This bill (HD 4591) requires the Worcester County District Attorney's Office to submit an annual report detailing how $26,900 in law enforcement forfeiture funds were spent during fiscal year 2024. The report specifically covers expenditures for drug rehabilitation, drug education, and neighborhood crime watch programs, listing recipients like UMASS Memorial Injury Prevention Program and local organizations such as Sand Stew Inc. and Dismas House of Massachusetts. As a procedural requirement, the bill does not create new policy but mandates transparency in the use of these funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting on funds spent for drug rehabilitation, education, and crime prevention programs, ensuring transparency in criminal justice reform initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1977: An Act relative to rehabilitation periods for those in addiction recovery

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 743) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to rehabilitation periods for recovering substance abusers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill focuses on rehabilitation periods for substance abusers, directly promoting criminal justice reform by addressing addiction recovery to reduce recidivism.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4191: An Act to protect correctional officers

HD 4191 increases penalties for assaulting correctional officers and other facility staff, requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence for such assaults. It also creates new workplace protections for workers exposed to synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice) during their jobs, including correctional officers, first responders, and healthcare workers. Affected employees can now access medical leave under Massachusetts law, workers' compensation, and continued health insurance during recovery. The bill requires them to use other short-term disability benefits first before accessing the new medical leave benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting correctional officers and provides workplace protections, directly strengthening corrections staff safety within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures healthcare workers maintain health insurance during recovery from work-related exposure, protecting access to care.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides medical leave, workers' comp, and health insurance for workers exposed to workplace hazards (e.g., synthetic cannabinoids), strengthening employment protections and safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Paid Leave

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3294: An Act addressing compensation rates for bar advocates

This bill sets new hourly compensation rates for attorneys representing indigent clients in Massachusetts. It establishes specific rates: $150 for homicide cases, $105 for non-homicide superior court cases, $73 for district court cases, and $90 for family law, children's, mental health, and sex offender registry cases. The rates must be reviewed every three years through public hearings involving bar associations and interested groups. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to all attorneys appointed under the private counsel division of the committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets fairer compensation for indigent defense attorneys in criminal cases, improving access to quality legal representation - a key component of criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1023: An Act relative to firearm industry accountability and gun violence victims’ access to justice

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1653) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Jason M. Lewis, David Paul Linsky, Christopher Richard Flanagan and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to firearm industry accountability and gun violence victims’ access to justice. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances gun violence victims' access to justice and holds firearm industry accountable, supporting criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2091: An Act relative to court officers injured on duty

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1849) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to court officers injured on duty. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides protection/support for court officers injured on duty, directly strengthening court system personnel safety within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1399: An Act relative to school and public threats

This bill amends Massachusetts criminal law (Chapter 269, Section 14) to expand the definition of criminal threats. It adds two specific provisions: (1) threatening to "behead persons at a place or location," and (2) knowingly communicating a false report of an active shooting at a school. The law now explicitly criminalizes making false reports about school shootings and threats involving severe violence like beheading. This directly affects individuals who make such false threats or reports in public or school settings. The change clarifies and broadens existing criminal threat statutes to address specific safety concerns.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of false school threats and beheading threats, increasing penalties under criminal law per indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCriminalizes false school shooting reports and severe threats, enhancing school safety and protecting educational environments.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1334: An Act removing state funded counsel for sex offender classification hearings

HD 1334 removes state-funded legal representation for indigent individuals in sex offender classification hearings. The bill amends Chapter 6, Section 178L of the General Laws to eliminate provisions requiring the board or court to appoint counsel for those deemed indigent under Chapter 211D standards. It replaces language guaranteeing "the right to have counsel appointed" with only the right to "retain counsel," meaning offenders must pay for their own attorney. This directly affects low-income individuals facing administrative sex offender classification decisions. The change removes both the obligation to provide state-appointed counsel and the requirement to inform offenders of this right.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves state-funded counsel for indigent defendants in sex offender hearings, reducing access to legal representation and defendant rights per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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