Criminal Justice in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2417: An Act relative to appealing a notice of disinvitation

This bill (HD 2417) creates a legal process for people who receive a written notice stating they are no longer welcome on property and would face criminal trespass if they enter. It allows them to file a complaint in district court to cancel the notice if the person who issued it abused their authority over the property. If the court agrees, it will cancel the notice, and the person can use this as a legal defense against any trespass charges. The bill directly affects property owners, tenants, or visitors who receive such disinvitation notices, providing a court-based remedy instead of automatic trespass penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1413: An Act protecting survivors of domestic abuse

This bill (SD 1413) requires Massachusetts courts to consider documented evidence of domestic abuse - defined under Chapter 209A - when determining alimony awards in divorce cases. It mandates that courts evaluate abuse history, including emotional distress, between spouses or against a child, using records from the state’s domestic violence database. The law prohibits alimony judgments benefiting a convicted abuser (e.g., if one spouse has a criminal conviction for abuse against the other or their child). Additionally, it allows payors to seek termination of existing alimony orders if a post-judgment conviction for abuse is obtained. The bill directly affects divorce proceedings and alimony decisions involving domestic violence cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3243: An Act authorizing the voluntary disavowal of eligibility to purchase a firearm

This bill allows individuals with diagnosed depression who feel suicidal to voluntarily give up their right to purchase firearms. People can submit a form at hospitals or emergency facilities (after being assessed by a clinician) to be added to a confidential list, preventing firearm sellers from selling to them. The list is kept private (not public record) and shared only with licensed firearm sellers, who face penalties for violating the restriction. Individuals can also petition a court to have their name removed from the list later. It directly affects people with mental health concerns who choose this option and firearm sellers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Firearms

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2553: An Act to provide certain employees in the department of corrections with line of duty death benefits

This bill expands eligibility for line-of-duty death benefits to include Unit 8 employees within the Public Safety Secretariat of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. It amends Chapter 32, Section 100A of the Massachusetts General Laws to add "or Unit 8 employees within the Public Safety Secretariat" to the list of covered personnel. Currently, only corrections officers and similar roles received these benefits; this change specifically extends them to Unit 8 employees who serve in public safety roles. The policy change directly affects eligible Unit 8 employees and their families by providing financial support if they die while performing official duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3317: An Act relative to eliminating liability limits for abuse of a minor

HD 3317, titled "An Act relative to eliminating liability limits for abuse of a minor," amends Massachusetts law to remove financial damage caps in civil lawsuits involving sexual abuse of minors. The bill specifically targets claims defined under Section 4C of Chapter 260 (sexual abuse of a minor) by adding that such cases "shall not be subject to a limitation on damages." This change directly affects victims of minor sexual abuse and their legal representatives in civil court, ensuring they can seek full compensation without financial limits imposed by current law. The key mechanism is a targeted amendment to Section 85K of Chapter 231, overriding existing damage restrictions for these specific claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 464: An Act to ensure fair access to compensation for victims of human trafficking and forced labor

This bill establishes a new compensation program for victims of human trafficking and forced labor in Massachusetts. Victims can receive up to $25,000 in lost income compensation (capped at $12,500 annually for two years) from the Victims of Crime Compensation Division, based on the state minimum wage for up to 40 hours weekly. It removes common barriers by not requiring official employment documentation (accepting alternative evidence like sworn statements) and explicitly prevents criminal charges related to trafficking from disqualifying victims. The compensation also won't count as income for other state or federal benefit programs, and the division must adopt guidelines within 190 days to streamline applications.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Minimum Wage

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 870: An Act relative to removing criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession

This bill decriminalizes possession of up to one gram of psilocybin (magic mushroom compounds) by replacing criminal penalties with a $100 civil fine and forfeiture of the substance. It directly affects individuals possessing small amounts, while exempting veterans, first responders, people with certain health conditions (like mental health disorders or terminal illnesses), indigenous users, and those in clinical research. The bill creates a "Psilocybin Fines Trust Fund" to distribute collected penalties to community harm reduction programs, including education, crisis support, and services for groups disproportionately impacted by drug policies. It also prohibits using possession as a basis for denying student aid, housing, licenses, or custody rights, and ensures civil penalty records do not appear in criminal records.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 475: An Act relative to transparency in clerk magistrate hearings

This bill (HD 475) requires clerk magistrate hearings to be open to the public by default, unless a court makes a specific written finding that the defendant's privacy interest outweighs public access. To close a hearing, the court must hold a separate hearing on the record, state the specific reason for closure, and limit the closure to only what is necessary. All hearings must be recorded stenographically or transcribed. The bill directly affects defendants in clerk magistrate proceedings and the public's ability to observe these hearings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Judges

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1997: An Act supporting consenting young adults

This bill modifies Massachusetts statutory rape laws to create an age exception for certain cases. It adds that a defendant is not prosecuted if they are no more than 2 years older than a minor who is at least 13 years old. For defendants under 18 at the time of the offense, the bill requires all prosecutions to proceed in juvenile court rather than adult court. The bill also repeals a related section of law (Chapter 272, Section 4). These changes directly affect young adults involved in consensual sexual activity with minor partners within the specified age range.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 188: An Act relative to removing criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession

HD 188 removes criminal penalties for possessing up to one gram of psilocybin (magic mushrooms), replacing them with a $100 civil fine. It exempts specific groups including veterans, first responders, individuals with certain medical conditions, Indigenous ceremonial users, and those in clinical research. The civil fines collected will fund a new Psilocybin Fines Trust Fund, which will support community harm reduction services, public health education, and grants for qualifying organizations serving impacted communities. The bill also updates related laws to include psilocybin in possession limits for marijuana. It ensures these penalties don't affect student aid, housing, or professional licensing.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health

All criminal justice bills