Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 4861: An Act relative to community corrections

H 4861 establishes an Office of Community Justice Programs within the Department of Probation to oversee statewide community-based alternatives to incarceration. It creates three specific program types: "intensive supervision with treatment" (for higher-risk individuals on probation), "pretrial services" (for defendants awaiting trial), and "reentry services" (for people recently released from prison), all requiring court approval or consent. The bill sets standards for program contracts, mandates victim notification for pretrial services, and prohibits using these programs to replace mandatory minimum prison sentences. This directly affects probationers, pretrial defendants, and people returning from incarceration who qualify for these community-based options.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates community-based alternatives to incarceration with treatment-focused programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 4860: An Act relative to safety and justice

This bill (H 4860) creates a new compensation system for people wrongfully convicted of felonies in Massachusetts. It lowers the required proof standard from "clear and convincing" to "preponderance of the evidence" to qualify for compensation under Chapter 258D, and expands eligible compensation to include educational services, financial literacy training, and waived tuition at public colleges. The bill also mandates courts to expunge or seal criminal records related to the wrongful conviction after a successful claim, while limiting total damages based on incarceration length (e.g., up to $1 million for 10 years of incarceration). It directly affects individuals exonerated after being convicted of felonies, providing both financial compensation and record-clearing mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLowers proof standard for wrongful conviction compensation, expands support services, and mandates record expungement - directly advancing criminal justice reform through accountability and rehabilitation.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands compensation to include waived tuition at public colleges and educational services, directly advancing educational access for wrongfully convicted individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Higher Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4998: An Act relative to offenses while driving on a non-administrative license suspension

Bill H 4998 increases penalties for drivers who operate a vehicle while their license is suspended or revoked and cause harm. It establishes three penalty tiers based on injury severity: up to 2.5 years in jail or $1,000 for minor injury, up to 5 years in prison or $3,000 for serious injury, and up to 10 years in prison or $5,000 for causing death. The bill mandates automatic license revocation for 60 days to 2 years after conviction (longer for severe cases) and prohibits probation or parole for serious violations. It applies specifically to drivers who were ineligible for a license or had a suspended license due to prior violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences (up to 10 years) and prohibits probation/parole, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and reduced defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 1117: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1117) of Cindy F. Friedman, Michael J. Barrett, Russell E. Holmes, John F. Keenan and others for legislation relative to treatment, not incarceration. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly advocates 'treatment, not incarceration' for criminal justice reform, promoting rehabilitation over imprisonment to reduce recidivism and align with reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for mental health treatment over incarceration, directly supporting mental health services as part of healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 18, 2025

H 4395: An Act increasing penalties for hit and runs with recreational vehicles in the Commonwealth to be known as the James Ward Act

H 4395, known as the James Ward Act, increases penalties for hit-and-run incidents involving recreational vehicles (like ATVs or snowmobiles) that cause injury or death. For non-fatal injuries, it adds potential jail time of up to 1 year (previously only fines of $500-$1,000). For fatal collisions, it raises penalties to up to 2.5 years in jail or a $5,000 fine (previously less severe terms). The bill directly affects drivers of snow vehicles or recreational vehicles who flee the scene after causing bodily injury. It modifies existing Massachusetts law to impose stricter consequences for these specific offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for hit-and-run with recreational vehicles (jail time for non-fatal, longer for fatal), aligns with increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 24, 2025

SD 3081: Department of Mental Health Jail Diversion FY24 Annual Report

Report of the Department of Mental Health (pursuant to line item 5046-0000 of Section 2 of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its Jail Diversion FY24 annual report

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires annual report on mental health jail diversion program, a key criminal justice reform initiative to reduce incarceration and improve treatment access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1340: An Act prohibiting level 3 sex offenders from residing together

This bill prohibits level 3 sex offenders from living together in any single-family or multi-family dwelling, unless they are legally related by blood, marriage, or adoption. It directly affects individuals classified as level 3 sex offenders under Massachusetts law who wish to share housing. Violating this rule results in a $1,000 fine, up to 2.5 years in jail, or both, with the violation reported to the sex offender registry board. The law aims to restrict co-residency among high-risk offenders while allowing exceptions for close family relationships.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts sex offenders' housing options, expanding criminalization and regulatory control under corrections policy, not advancing reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1485: An Act relative to preventing suicide

This bill (HD 1485) creates a new criminal offense for individuals who knowingly have a relationship of control over someone experiencing suicidal thoughts and then intentionally encourage or assist that person in dying by suicide. It specifically targets two scenarios: (1) using control (e.g., manipulation or undue influence) to coerce a suicidal person, or (2) providing the means or actively aiding in a suicide attempt. The law does not apply to licensed physicians providing medical treatment, and it prevents double punishment if a defendant is also charged with manslaughter. The bill directly affects individuals with close, controlling relationships to someone in crisis, imposing up to 5 years in prison for violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for aiding suicide, expanding criminalization (indicator for oppose) within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 243: An Act creating a law enforcement officer safety zone after warning

This bill (SD 243) creates a 25-foot safety zone around law enforcement officers while they are performing official duties. It prohibits anyone from approaching closer after an officer has verbally ordered them to stop or retreat. Violations carry fines up to $500 or up to one year in jail, classified as a breach of the peace. The law applies to all officers defined under Massachusetts law (MGL Chapter 6E) and directly affects individuals who approach officers in this manner.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for approaching officers within 25-foot safety zone after warning.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2624: An Act relative to offenses while driving on a non-administrative license suspension

This Massachusetts bill (HD 2624) increases penalties for drivers operating a vehicle while suspended or ineligible to drive, specifically when their reckless or negligent driving causes injury or death. It creates tiered punishments: up to 2.5 years in jail or $1,000 for minor injury; up to 5 years in prison or $3,000 for serious injury; and up to 10 years in prison or $5,000 for causing death. The law automatically revokes licenses for 60 days to 1 year (for injury) or 2 years (for death) after conviction, with no appeal staying the revocation. It applies only to drivers who were suspended/ineligible at the time of the offense and caused harm through reckless driving.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison terms and fines for driving offenses causing injury/death, strengthening punitive sentencing rather than reforming criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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