Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · Senate May 14, 2026

S 2976: An Act relative to violations of the United States Constitution under color of law

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2976) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of William N. Brownsberger, Cindy F. Friedman, Pavel M. Payano, Cynthia Stone Creem and other members of the Senate for legislation relative to violations of the United States Constitution under color of law. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets constitutional violations by law enforcement under color of law, directly enhancing police accountability - a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5002: An Act to restore a sensible marijuana policy

H 5002, titled "An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy," legalizes small-scale marijuana possession for adults while reforming related laws. It makes possession of 1 ounce or less by people aged 21+ a non-punishable civil matter, and possession of 1-2 ounces subject only to a $100 civil penalty (no criminal charges). For those under 21, possession of up to 2 ounces requires completion of a drug awareness program to avoid increased penalties, and prohibits denial of benefits like housing or financial aid based on minor possession. The bill repeals outdated chapters (94G and 64N) and creates a Cannabis Control Commission to oversee implementation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for small-scale marijuana possession, shifts to civil penalties/education, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with reform goals like reducing recidivism.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits denial of housing benefits for minor marijuana possession, directly protecting tenants from discrimination per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 2858: An Act to build restorative family and community connection

Senate, January 22, 2026 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to whom was referred the 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, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2858).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates prison visits to build restorative family/community connections, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2955: An Act to reduce exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress code violations

Senate, February 9, 2026 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 359) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to promote a healthy culture and climate within schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 368) of Adam Gomez, Michael J. Barrett, Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the Senate for legislation to reduce exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress code violations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 376) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to promote the education success of court involved children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 380) of Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish statewide targets for addressing persistent disparities in achievement and suspension and expulsion in public schools; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 387) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to safer schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2955).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces exclusionary school discipline, directly addressing criminal justice reform by preventing minor infractions from escalating into justice system involvement (school-to-prison pipeline).95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces exclusionary discipline for dress/grooming violations, promoting healthier school climate and protecting student access to education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Student Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2944: An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium

February, , 2026 -- The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2114) of Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael J. Barrett, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a jail and prison construction moratorium, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2944).

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesHalts state spending on new jail/prison construction, restricting budget allocation for corrections infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHalts new prison construction, reducing incarceration capacity aligns with criminal justice reform goals of decreasing prison populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

SD 3474: Restorative Justice Advisory Committee (RJAC) 2024 annual report

Report of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (pursuant to Section 202 of Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2018) submitting its Restorative Justice Advisory Committee (RJAC) 2024 annual report

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandated annual report on Restorative Justice Advisory Committee, supporting reform-focused criminal justice initiatives per 2018 law.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 2764: An Act to secure housing for returning citizens

Senate, December 18, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 996) of Adam Gomez for legislation to secure housing for returning citizens, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2764).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSecures housing for returning citizens, reducing recidivism through reentry support - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly secures housing for returning citizens, addressing housing access barriers for a vulnerable group, advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 27, 2026

H 4858: An Act to update expungement

This bill (H 4858) updates Massachusetts expungement law by restricting access to sealed or expunged criminal records. It prohibits anyone from making these records available for inspection, including by employers or background check services, unless the information is used solely for statistical or research purposes without identifying individuals. The bill directly affects people whose records have been sealed under sections 100A, 100B, or 100C, or expunged under sections 100F, 100G, 100H, or 100K. Key changes include broadening restrictions to cover all expungement categories and clarifying that research data must not reveal personal identities. The bill is currently pending in the House committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts access to sealed records, reducing employment barriers for individuals with expunged convictions - a key criminal justice reform measure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SD 3607: An Act protecting access to justice

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill) (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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly protects 'access to justice' (a key criminal justice reform indicator), aligning with civil rights protection and fair court access within the Judiciary subject area.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4999: An Act to protect victims of stalking in violation of harassment prevention orders

This bill requires law enforcement to notify victims when harassment prevention orders (for stalking or harassment) are served, not served, or expire. It directly affects victims of stalking who have these court orders by ensuring they receive timely updates about the order's status. Key provisions mandate that police inform victims within 12 hours if an order isn't served, then every 24 hours until service is complete, and also notify them if the order expires. The law applies to both temporary and permanent orders under Chapters 209A and 258E of Massachusetts law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims via mandatory law enforcement notifications on stalking order status, enhancing victim safety and court order enforcement in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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