Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 1720: An Act to build restorative family and community connection

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1720) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Mike Connolly, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to regulating visits in state prisons and correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRegulates prison visits to strengthen family/community connections, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1397: An Act establishing alternative models for behavioral health transport

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1397) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish five regional pilot programs to examine alternative models for transport of behavioral health patients. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates behavioral health transport pilots to divert individuals from criminal justice system, reducing incarceration for mental health crises per reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes regional pilot programs to improve behavioral health transport access, directly supporting mental health services under the topic's scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 2261: An Act ending the criminalization of homelessness

By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2261) of Carol A. Doherty and James K. Hawkins relative to the criminalization of homelessness. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds criminal penalties for homelessness, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with reform goals to protect civil rights and reduce systemic inequities in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnds criminalization of homelessness, directly addressing housing access and protections for vulnerable populations per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

H 1913: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

By Representatives Nguyen of Andover and Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1913) of Tram T. Nguyen, Marjorie C. Decker and others relative to court considerations of persons having alcohol or substance use disorders and needing treatment. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill redirects court focus from incarceration to treatment for substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill redirects court focus from incarceration to treatment for substance use disorders, advancing healthcare access for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1867: An Act relative to emerging adult life sentences for first-degree murder

By Representative Markey of Dartmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1867) of Christopher M. Markey relative to emerging adult life sentences for first-degree murder. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses sentencing for emerging adults in first-degree murder, likely reducing mandatory life sentences to promote rehabilitation and align with criminal justice reform trends.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1959: An Act establishing reasonable limitations on the solitary confinement of inmates 21 years of age or younger

By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1959) of David M. Rogers relative to establishing reasonable limitations on the solitary confinement of inmates 21 years of age or younger. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits solitary confinement for minors, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting youth inmates' rights and reducing harmful practices in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 81: An Act to prevent aiding, supporting, or enticing a child to runaway

HD 81 makes it a crime to knowingly help a child under 18 run away from their legal caregiver, such as a parent, guardian, or child welfare agency like DCF or foster care. It sets penalties: up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine for children under 18, up to 5 years in prison for children under 14, and harsher penalties (up to 10 years) when involving DCF or court-ordered care. The bill also adds stricter punishments if the act occurs near schools, with fines starting at $2,500 and prison terms up to 5 years. This directly affects individuals who assist minors in leaving legally mandated care without authorization.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by imposing jail terms/fines for aiding child runaways, increasing penalties for DCF/court-related cases. Matches OPPOSE indicators of harsher sentencing and expanded criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 135: An Act relative to expungement of certain past marijuana convictions

This bill automatically expunges court records for certain past marijuana convictions in Massachusetts. It directly affects individuals convicted of possessing or cultivating small amounts of marijuana that were decriminalized under laws passed in 2008, 2016, or 2017, including related charges like intent to distribute based on those decriminalized amounts. Courts must proactively expunge these records, and individuals can petition for expungement if a court fails to do so within 30 days, with courts required to explain denials. The bill mandates that all eligible expungements be completed within 180 days of the law's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically expunges past marijuana convictions, reducing barriers for individuals and advancing criminal justice reform by clearing outdated records from decriminalized offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 496: An Act to track the implementation of the Brangan ruling

This bill (HD 496) requires courts to report bail amounts and related charges to the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS). It directly affects courts handling bail decisions and the CPCS, which will track this data. The key provision amends Section 57 of Chapter 276 to mandate this reporting, ensuring data collection for monitoring the implementation of the Brangan ruling. The bill focuses on procedural tracking, not altering bail standards or legal outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates data collection to monitor implementation of Brangan ruling (bail reform), enhancing oversight of court procedures per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 472: An Act limiting the use of prison labor

This bill prohibits Massachusetts correctional facilities from transferring inmates outside the state for the purpose of engaging in labor. It directly affects all state prisons, county jails, and correctional facilities within Massachusetts, preventing administrators from moving inmates out of state for work. The key provision explicitly bans such transfers by stating no inmate may be moved outside Massachusetts to perform labor. This is a direct policy change limiting the use of prison labor beyond state borders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts prison labor transfers, aligning with criminal justice reform by limiting exploitative practices and protecting inmate rights within corrections facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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