Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1087: An Act to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1087) of James B. Eldridge, Brandy Fluker-Reid, Christopher J. Worrell, Joanne M. Comerford and others for legislation to abolish sentences of life without parole for individuals who committed crimes while they were considered minors or young adults. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds life without parole for minors, advancing juvenile justice reform by reducing harsh sentencing per bill's explicit abolition of L.W.O.P. for juveniles95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1812: An Act to promote timely access to parole hearings

By Representative Keefe of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1812) of Mary S. Keefe and Carmine Lawrence Gentile relative to access to parole hearings. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes timely parole access, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and improving reintegration through streamlined hearings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 1722: An Act relative to elder and medical parole

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1722) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Adam Gomez and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to grant elder and medical parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill proposes elder/medical parole for non-threatening inmates, reducing prison populations and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like compassionate release and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1961: An Act relative to life without parole

By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1961) of David M. Rogers relative to life sentences without eligibility for parole. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets life sentences without parole eligibility, aiming to reform sentencing by potentially allowing parole consideration, reducing mandatory harsh sentences per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 22, 2025

H 4515: An Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services

This Massachusetts bill (H 4515) expands access to community-based juvenile diversion programs by removing automatic disqualification for youth referred to juvenile court. It protects statements made during assessments from being used against youth in court and requires courts to dismiss original complaints unless a report recommends otherwise. Diversion remains unavailable for serious offenses like those with minimum prison sentences or specific violent charges. The law directly affects youth in juvenile court and aims to reduce court involvement for less severe cases while maintaining legal pathways for serious crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands community diversion for juveniles, protects assessment statements, reduces court referrals - aligns with reform goals like rehabilitation and civil rights protection95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2772: An Act relative to probation officers

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2772) of Tackey Chan and David Holway relative to injuries sustained in service of probation officers. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses injuries to probation officers, a core corrections role, strengthening workforce support within criminal justice system operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands indigency eligibility to prevent court fee penalties for low-income individuals, reducing barriers to justice and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim notification for sex offenders, strengthening victim protections within criminal justice system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill submits report on Stable Start reentry housing initiatives (permanent vouchers for 55+ & transitional housing for returning citizens), reducing recidivism through housing support.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to medical parole, advancing corrections reform by enabling compassionate release for medically vulnerable inmates, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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