Criminal Justice in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1718: An Act relative to fires and explosions

This bill amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for certain fire and explosion-related offenses. It adds new criminal penalties for individuals who intentionally manufacture controlled substances and cause fires/explosions resulting in injury or property damage (Section 1), intentionally set fires in schools (Section 2), or recklessly use fire/explosives endangering others (Section 3). For unauthorized fires causing property damage, it increases penalties based on cost: fines up to $1,000 for damage under $5,000, and prison time for damage at or above $5,000 (Section 4). The bill directly affects individuals committing these specific fire-related offenses, particularly those involving controlled substances, schools, or reckless fire use.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

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 916: An Act relative to medical parole

HD 916 (An Act relative to medical parole) modifies Massachusetts' medical parole process. It limits incarcerated individuals with serious health conditions to one medical parole petition per year, unless their health condition changes significantly. If a petition is based on a significant health change, officials may deny reconsideration if they determine the change isn't substantial enough. This bill directly affects incarcerated people seeking medical parole and clarifies the timing for victim notification when petitions are denied.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 240: An Act relative to forfeiture reform

SD 240, "An Act relative to forfeiture reform," changes Massachusetts' property forfeiture process under Chapter 94C. It requires the state (commonwealth) to prove property is forfeitable by a preponderance of evidence when owners claim it, shifts notice requirements to property owners, and guarantees public counsel for indigent owners and criminal defendants in related cases. The bill also mandates annual public reports detailing seized assets (cash, property, vehicles, real estate) and requires all forfeiture proceeds to go directly into the state general fund, replacing prior funding mechanisms for seized property management. These changes apply to all forfeiture cases involving property valued over $250.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 642: An Act amending the victim of violent crime compensation law

This bill extends the time limit for victims of childhood sexual abuse to file compensation claims under Massachusetts law. It allows the statute of limitations to begin only when a victim first connects their abuse to current harm, as documented by a licensed mental health professional. The professional's report stating when this connection occurred serves as strong evidence in claims. This directly affects minor victims who delayed recognizing how abuse caused their harm, making it easier to seek compensation years later. The law modifies existing procedures to better accommodate the delayed recognition common in childhood sexual abuse cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 439: An Act relative to special regulations for vehicle specific checkpoints

SD 439 bans law enforcement from setting up vehicle safety checkpoints that target specific vehicle types, decorations, or riders. It applies only to general public safety checks for regular drivers, not to commercial vehicles (like trucks carrying goods), public transit, or oversized vehicles. The law explicitly exempts vehicles used as common carriers, construction equipment, or those exceeding standard weight/dimension limits. This policy change prevents selective enforcement while maintaining standard safety checkpoints for all drivers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

All criminal justice bills