Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 873: An Act relative to voting rights

By Representative Tyler of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 873) of Chynah Tyler relative to voting rights for convicted felons. Election Laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for convicted felons, a core criminal justice reform measure addressing post-conviction rights and reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1957: An Act to ensure the ability to prosecute repeat OUI offenses

By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1957) of David M. Rogers and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan for legislation to ensure the ability to prosecute repeat operating under the influence offenses. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures prosecution of repeat OUI offenses, strengthening enforcement in criminal justice. It advances accountability for repeat offenders without weakening rights or reform.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1906: An Act relative to felony threshold for multiple theft offenses

By Representative Muradian of Grafton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1906) of David K. Muradian, Jr., relative to the felony threshold for multiple offenses for the crime of theft. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaising felony threshold for multiple thefts reduces felony charges, aligning with reform by avoiding harsh sentencing for non-violent offenses.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 1644: An Act relative to the punishment of organized retail crimes

By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1644) of Michael S. Day relative to the punishment of organized retail crimes. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill proposes stricter punishments for organized retail crimes, increasing criminalization and mandatory penalties per title/summary, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 25, 2025

H 4536: An Act to establish a DNA exception rule for victims of rape

This bill (H 4536) extends the retention period for rape evidence kits from the current standard to 15 years and creates a new exception to the statute of limitations for rape cases. It directly affects victims of sexual assault and law enforcement by allowing prosecutors to file charges years after the crime if the perpetrator's identity is confirmed through DNA evidence collected during the original investigation. The key provision states that charges for specific rape offenses (under Chapter 265 sections 22-23B) can be filed at any time if DNA from the original evidence identifies the suspect after the standard time limit expires. This change aims to support cases where DNA evidence becomes available later, without requiring the original investigation to have been completed within the usual timeframe.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends rape evidence retention to 15 years and allows DNA-based prosecution after statute of limitations, supporting victim access to justice and reform in sexual assault cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 1409: An Act to reform mental health supports and increase public safety

By Ms. Kennedy (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1409) of Gary Lowell, for legislation to mandate psychiatric evaluations in a hospital emergency room if a restraint authorization is given. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates psychiatric evaluations during ER restraints, diverting mental health crises from criminal justice system to appropriate care, aligning with reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates psychiatric evaluations in ERs for restraint cases, directly strengthening mental health access and safety protocols within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 8, 2025

H 2609: An Act relative to successful transition and re-entry to tomorrow for incarcerated persons

By Representative Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2609) of Brandy Fluker-Reid and Russell E. Holmes relative to successful transitions and re-entries for incarcerated persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill focuses on re-entry programs for incarcerated persons, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform elements.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3349: An Act to return DOC and Parole to Health and Human Services

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3349) of Russell E. Holmes for legislation to transfer jurisdiction of the Department of Correction and the Parole Board from the Executive Office of Public Safety to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransfers DOC/Parole to Health & Human Services, aligning with rehabilitative approaches over punitive corrections management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1260: An Act relative to violent or sexual offenses committed by those using the Emergency Assistance shelter system

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1260) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to violent or sexual offenses committed by those using the Emergency Assistance shelter system. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses violent/sexual offenses in emergency shelters, ensuring accountability within criminal justice system.80% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1070: An Act relative to petit treason

This bill (S 1070) proposes removing the phrase "Petit treason shall be prosecuted and punished as murder" from Massachusetts law (Chapter 265, Section 1). It directly affects the legal classification of "petit treason," an outdated term historically referring to specific acts like killing a spouse or employer. The change would no longer equate petit treason with murder under Massachusetts statute. The bill is pending review by the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves outdated legal equivalence between petit treason and murder, modernizing sentencing classification and aligning with criminal justice reform principles by reducing archaic punitive measures.85% confidence

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