Criminal Justice in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 18, 2026

H 5289: An Act authorizing the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in the town of Norwood

This bill allows the town of Norwood to hire retired police officers as special police officers to assist with local law enforcement duties. To qualify, the retired officers must have served as regular police officers in Massachusetts and retired in good standing due to age or service. The bill requires these special officers to maintain their certification and complete all mandatory training and continuing education requirements set by state standards. This change gives the town more flexibility in staffing its police force while ensuring all personnel meet established professional standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5305: An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment

This Massachusetts bill expands protections for people regardless of immigration status by limiting civil immigration enforcement activities within state facilities and requiring clear guidelines for interactions with law enforcement. The legislation allows the governor to restrict immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state buildings and mandates that correctional facilities provide detained individuals with written notices about their legal rights in their primary language. Additionally, the bill requires facilities to ensure confidential attorney-client communications and maintain detailed records of immigration-related detentions. State agencies and private organizations must also follow multilingual guidelines on how to verify law enforcement authority and document immigration enforcement interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 5125: An Act limiting the use of prison labor

This bill prohibits Massachusetts prison officials from transferring inmates to other states for labor purposes, directly affecting correctional facilities and inmates. It allows exceptions only if the governor declares an emergency in another state and the inmate provides written consent. Transfers for non-labor reasons, such as medical care or court appearances, remain permitted under existing rules. The law aims to prevent out-of-state labor exploitation while maintaining flexibility for emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

introduced · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

HD 5662: The annual report of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association (under item 0340-2100 of Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its data from the District Attorneys relative to their criminal prosecutions and workloads for calendar year 2025

HD 5662 requires the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association to submit an annual report detailing criminal prosecution data for calendar year 2025. The report must include specific categories: juvenile cases, adult cases, appeals, and cases reviewed. This procedural bill directly affects the District Attorneys Association, mandating they compile and submit this workload data. It does not change laws or policies, but establishes a reporting requirement for transparency. The bill was placed on file in February 2026 and has no further action noted.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 2857: An Act to ensure access to medical parole

Senate, January 22, 2026 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1707) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to remove barriers to medical parole; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1722) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Adam Gomez and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to grant elder and medical parole, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2857).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

HD 5692: An Act relative to strengthening penalties for non-consensual image sharing and providing supportive victim services

By Representative Frost of Auburn (by request), a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Aspen Boss relative to penalties for non-consensual image sharing and providing supportive victim services. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House May 5, 2026

H 5157: An Act relative to safer schools

This bill limits school resource officers' (SROs) roles in schools by prohibiting them from handling routine discipline or replacing counselors. It requires SROs to only intervene in serious criminal incidents (like physical harm, malicious property damage, or theft of significant value) and mandates de-escalation training. Schools must annually report costs, mental health budgets, and detailed data on student interactions with SROs (including arrests and referrals), with the education department collecting and publishing this data. The bill also creates grants to help schools adopt non-law enforcement safety practices, such as conflict resolution and culturally affirming approaches.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement School Safety Student Health

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 3, 2026

H 5050: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for responding to recent federal actions

H 5050 is primarily an appropriations bill that allocates additional funding for state government operations in fiscal year 2026, including $300 million for group insurance premiums and $31 million for correctional facility operations. Its most significant policy change (Section 5) creates new restrictions on civil immigration enforcement at child care facilities: it prohibits law enforcement from entering licensed child care centers, family child care homes, or school-aged programs without a judicial warrant and prior approval from the facility director. The bill also requires these facilities to establish policies for handling immigration enforcement interactions, including verifying warrants and designating staff to manage such encounters. These provisions directly affect child care providers and law enforcement agencies operating near early childhood facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

passed · Massachusetts · Senate May 14, 2026

S 2975: An Act protecting access to justice

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2975) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Lydia Edwards, Patricia D. Jehlen, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect access to justice. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

H 5126: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

H 5126 would require courts to assess probationers for substance use disorders and order treatment instead of jail time for relapse. It mandates individualized treatment plans using licensed providers or evidence-based practices (like medication-assisted therapy), with courts reviewing provider reports on progress. Probationers who complete treatment but relapse may receive additional treatment rather than incarceration. The bill preserves courts' authority to use other probation sanctions for public safety while shifting focus from punishment to treatment for substance use issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

All criminal justice bills