Criminal Justice in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 89: An Act maintaining protective orders

This bill amends Massachusetts' domestic violence protective order law (Chapter 209A) to require courts to explicitly prohibit defendants from contacting a plaintiff's child or child in the plaintiff's care during protective orders. It directly affects victims of domestic violence, their children, and individuals accused of abuse. The key change adds a specific provision banning contact with children and ensures the protective order remains in effect even after the plaintiff's death, lasting until the order expires or is lifted by a court. This clarifies existing protections without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 364: An Act providing for the allowance of early evidence kits

This bill establishes new standards for handling sexual assault evidence kits, including a new "Early Evidence Kits" provision that allows for early DNA collection when a traditional exam isn't possible (e.g., if a victim can't access a hospital immediately). It requires hospitals to inform victims about a 15-year minimum evidence retention period and mandates law enforcement to retain kits for at least 15 years - unless the case resulted in a completed conviction, all suspects died, or the statute of limitations expired. The bill also sets a 30-day deadline for crime labs to test kits, requires agencies to provide victims with status updates and test results (excluding details that could compromise investigations), and mandates proper tracking and labeling of evidence. These changes directly affect victims, hospitals, law enforcement, and crime labs by improving transparency and evidence preservation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 636: An Act relative to the protection of vulnerable adults from sexual assault committed by mandated reporters, persons in a position of trust, and providers of transportation

HD 636 creates new criminal penalties for sexual assault against vulnerable adults by specific individuals. It directly affects adults aged 14+ in mental health facilities, developmental services programs, or long-term care settings. The law prohibits mandated reporters (like social workers), people in positions of trust, and transportation providers from having sexual contact with these vulnerable adults, with punishments up to life in prison for repeat offenses. Consent is not a defense, and the bill updates Massachusetts' definition of "sex offense" to include these violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Long-Term Care

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 584: An Act supporting consenting young adults

SD 584 amends Massachusetts law to adjust protections for minors in sexual offense cases. It adds an exception allowing prosecution only if the defendant is more than 2 years older than a minor who is at least 13 years old, for offenses involving minors under 16. The bill also mandates that cases involving defendants under the age of criminal majority must be handled in juvenile court, not adult court. Additionally, it repeals a previous section (Chapter 272, Section 4) related to sexual assault. This bill directly affects minors aged 13-15 and close-age defendants (within 2 years of the minor's age) in sexual offense prosecutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 88: An Act extending the civil statute of limitations for child abuse

SD 88 extends the civil statute of limitations for child abuse lawsuits in Massachusetts. It allows victims to file lawsuits within 35 years of the abuse or 7 years from when they discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) psychological injury, whichever is later, with the clock not starting until the victim turns 18. The bill applies to all existing cases and covers both direct abuse (as defined in specified sections of law) and cases involving negligent supervision that contributed to abuse. This change removes time barriers for victims seeking legal action, regardless of when the abuse occurred or when a claim might have previously expired.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 450: An Act protecting victims of rape and their children

SD 450, titled "An Act protecting victims of rape and their children," amends Massachusetts law to restrict visitation rights for parents convicted of rape. The bill directly affects victims of rape and their children by preventing courts from granting visitation to a parent convicted of rape (under specific sections of Chapters 265 or 272) seeking access to a child conceived during the assault. Key provisions state that courts cannot order such visitation if the parent has a rape conviction, or if clear evidence of rape exists even without a conviction. The law aims to protect victims and children by limiting contact with perpetrators in these specific circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1046: An Act to empower and protect survivors of domestic violence

SD 1046 establishes a special commission to study Massachusetts' response to domestic violence and sexual assault victims, requiring it to analyze current resources, probation department efficiency, and victim engagement by December 2025. The bill creates a new Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Probation Unit within court probation departments, staffed by specialized probation officers and victim advocates who act as liaisons between victims and probation officers. It mandates that offenders in such cases enroll in certified batterer's treatment programs and requires probation officers to disclose relevant information to judges during hearings. The unit will handle victim complaints, coordinate with treatment programs, and compile case documentation, while the commission must submit recommendations to the legislature. This bill directly affects victims, probation departments, and court systems by structuring specialized support and accountability mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 563: An Act relative to probation officers

HD 563 amends Massachusetts law to include probation officers in a provision covering officers who suffer bodily injuries from violence while performing their duties. The bill inserts a specific reference to probation officers into the existing law, ensuring they qualify for the same workplace injury protections as other covered officers. This change directly affects probation officers by expanding their eligibility for benefits they were previously excluded from. The bill does not alter the benefits themselves but extends their application to probation officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workplace Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 506: An Act to prevent human trafficking through increased public awareness

This bill requires public awareness signage with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline (1-888-373-7888) in transportation hubs (like MBTA stations, rest areas, and airports), welcome centers, and hospitals. It mandates anti-trafficking training for transit employees (bus drivers, operators, and staff) and transportation network company drivers (e.g., Uber/Lyft), covering definitions of trafficking, signs to recognize, and reporting protocols. The training must be integrated into existing employee programs and updated biannually. It also disqualifies convicted traffickers from commercial driver’s licenses and prevents sealing of trafficking conviction records. The bill directly affects Massachusetts transportation systems, hospitals, and ride-share services.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2059: An Act relative to opioid use disorder treatment and rehabilitation coverage

HD 2059 requires Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover medications for opioid use disorder (like naloxone and buprenorphine) without prior authorization, prescriptions, or cost-sharing (deductibles, copays). It directly affects Commonwealth employees (via group insurance), Medicaid patients, and private insurance holders in Massachusetts. The bill mandates coverage as both a medical benefit (when administered at treatment facilities) and pharmacy benefit, with facilities reimbursed at standard rates to prevent balance billing. It also specifies that cost-sharing may still apply if a plan would lose tax-exempt status under IRS rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

All criminal justice bills