Criminal Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 980: An Act relative to fentanyl arrests

SD 980, titled "An Act relative to fentanyl arrests," modifies Massachusetts bail procedures for individuals arrested specifically for fentanyl-related offenses. It requires that anyone aged 18 or older arrested for manufacturing, selling, or distributing fentanyl (under Chapter 94C sections 32, 32E, or 32F) cannot be released on bail sooner than six hours after arrest. Bail must be set by a judge in open court - bail commissioners, clerks, or other non-judicial personnel cannot grant release. Additionally, those setting bail must access the individual’s criminal history and related records before imposing release conditions to ensure court appearance and community safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts defendant rights by delaying bail for fentanyl offenses and requiring judicial bail setting, opposing criminal justice reform trends.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 709: An Act relative to dangerousness hearings

This bill amends Massachusetts law to change pretrial detention rules for repeat offenders. It requires the state to seek pretrial detention (instead of release) if someone faces a second charge for specific offenses listed in the law, based solely on dangerousness. The provision directly affects individuals charged a second time with these offenses, shifting the state's burden to justify detention at the initial hearing. The key mechanism is a new rule allowing the commonwealth to move for detention under dangerousness grounds without needing additional evidence beyond the second offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates pretrial detention for repeat offenders based solely on dangerousness, reducing defendant rights and shifting burden to justify release at initial hearing.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1296: An Act protecting personal security

This bill amends court procedures for name changes to enhance personal safety protections. It requires courts to request probation reports before approving name changes and mandates submission of birth records or prior name-change documentation. Crucially, courts can now keep name-change records confidential and segregated if they determine public access would jeopardize safety - specifically citing risks related to gender non-conformity, transgender status, or domestic violence survival. The law ensures courts cannot deny confidentiality requests solely due to lack of documented threats, focusing on the "totality of circumstances" rather than specific incidents. This directly affects individuals seeking name changes who face safety concerns, making court records more secure without altering substantive name-change eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances court protections for vulnerable groups (transgender, domestic violence survivors) via confidential name changes, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3538: An Act providing equity and fairness to POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease

This bill amends a state law to expand disability coverage for POST-certified police officers who become disabled by cardiac disease. It directly affects officers working for specific public safety units, including university police departments, Massachusetts Port Authority police, state university and community college police forces, environmental law enforcement, and Department of Mental Health campus police. The key change adds these entities to the list of covered employers under the existing disability benefit provision. This adjustment ensures these officers, previously excluded, now qualify for the same disability benefits as officers in other covered agencies. The bill does not alter benefit amounts or eligibility criteria - only expands which police forces are included.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands disability coverage for police officers, strengthening law enforcement support within criminal justice system by ensuring medical protection for POST-certified officers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands disability coverage for cardiac disease (health condition), directly advancing healthcare access for police officers under specific employers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands disability coverage for police officers, strengthening worker benefits and workplace protections under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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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

Track

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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