Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2177: An Act relative to the expungement of convictions for marijuana possession

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1161) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the expungement of convictions for marijuana possession. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpungement of marijuana possession convictions reduces barriers to employment/housing, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and protect civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2312: An Act relative to setting proportionate penalties for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1233) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to set proportionate penalties for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks proportionate penalties for drug distribution, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to avoid excessive sentencing rather than increasing penalties or restricting rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2115: An Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for youths

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1061) of Brendan P. Crighton, Cynthia Stone Creem, Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote public safety and better outcomes for young adults. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly promotes 'better outcomes for youths' and 'public safety' through legislative action, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like rehabilitation and reduced recidivism for youth in the system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 914: An Act to save lives by distributing narcan to individuals at risk for an overdose

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1709) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to distribute Narcan to a detainee or prisoner at risk for an overdose upon discharge from a correctional facility. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDistributes Narcan to at-risk detainees upon correctional facility discharge, reducing overdose deaths and aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDistributes Narcan to prevent overdose deaths, advancing public health access and saving lives in correctional settings, directly aligning with healthcare protection and public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1138: An Act establishing an office of unsolved homicides

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2174) of Liz Miranda for legislation to establish an office of unsolved homicides within the office of the attorney general. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes office to investigate unsolved homicides, enhancing criminal justice oversight and accountability in law enforcement investigations.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4212: An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment

This bill (HD 4212) creates legal protections for harm reduction programs aimed at reducing overdose deaths and improving access to treatment. It defines "harm reduction programs" to include services like needle exchanges, overdose reversal, and referrals to treatment, and grants immunity from arrest, lawsuits, and property seizures for program operators, participants, and property owners when operating under department approval. The law also prohibits searches based on program use, requires annual department reports on program effectiveness, and exempts approved programs from certain registration requirements under Chapter 94C. It directly affects program operators, people accessing services, property owners, and government employees involved in approvals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects harm reduction programs from legal penalties, reducing criminalization of drug use and advancing criminal justice reform through treatment access and immunity protections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill legalizes harm reduction services (needle exchanges, overdose reversal) to improve treatment access, directly expanding healthcare access and protecting patient services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2465: An Act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people

HD 2465 requires Massachusetts state prisons and county facilities to provide incarcerated people with at least eight hours of daily "out of cell" time for social interaction and activities, including at least six hours weekly of group programming like education and vocational training (with three hours eligible for good conduct credits). It mandates personalized rehabilitation plans for each person, involving input from staff and the individual, and requires facilities to send parole-eligible plans to the parole board for review. The bill also sets minimum standards for access to medical care, outdoor recreation, libraries, and facilities conditions (like temperature and water quality), and requires annual data collection on programming access and outcomes, reported by race, gender, and other demographics. This law directly affects all individuals held in Massachusetts correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires rehabilitation programs, education/vocational training, and personalized plans for incarcerated people to improve outcomes, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1772: An Act relative to implementing a blue alert system in the commonwealth

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1772) of Bruce E. Tarr and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation relative to implementing a blue alert system in the commonwealth. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBlue alert system protects law enforcement officers by enabling rapid public alerts during officer emergencies, strengthening law enforcement safety protocols within criminal justice infrastructure.92% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2857: An Act relative to court officers injured in service of the state

By Representative Haggerty of Woburn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2857) of Richard M. Haggerty relative to court officers injured in service of the Commonwealth. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects court officers (a component of criminal justice system) by providing support for service-related injuries, aligning with system protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2707: An Act relative to furthering the success of opiate intervention programs

By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2707) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida relative to immunity from prosecution for certain first responders for providing or transferring opioid antagonists to certain persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides immunity for first responders distributing opioid antagonists to reverse overdoses, promoting harm reduction and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides immunity for first responders administering opioid antagonists (naloxone), directly advancing overdose intervention programs and improving emergency healthcare access for opioid users.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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