Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2413: An Act to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1087) of James B. Eldridge, Brandy Fluker-Reid, Christopher J. Worrell, Joanne M. Comerford and others for legislation to abolish sentences of life without parole for individuals who committed crimes while they were considered minors or young adults. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill abolishes life without parole for minors/emerging adults, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting youth rights and reducing harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 1707: An Act to ensure access to medical parole

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1707) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to remove barriers to medical parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to medical parole, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing unnecessary incarceration for medical reasons.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2638: An Act to reform parole

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2638) of Russell E. Holmes relative to parole board employees. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill titled 'An Act to reform parole' directly addresses parole, a core criminal justice component. 'Reform' implies positive change to improve system outcomes, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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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 Jan 29, 2026

S 1051: An Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1051) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to judicial supervision to promote child well-being. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes juvenile diversion to community services, reducing incarceration and aligning with reform goals like rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 543: An Act to promote equitable access to parole

This bill (HD 543) reforms Massachusetts parole procedures to improve fairness and access. It requires the parole board to include at least four members with mental health/substance use experience (including one licensed professional) and one formerly incarcerated person with relevant expertise. The bill expands parole eligibility for life sentence holders (excluding certain murder cases), mandates public hearings 90 days before eligibility, and requires the board to reconsider cases every three years if parole is denied. It also adds transparency by requiring hearing recordings to be public for life sentences, ensuring prisoners access to information provided to the board, and directing the board to prioritize risk assessments, program participation, and community reentry plans when making decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands parole eligibility for life sentence holders, mandates mental health expertise on parole board, and requires public hearings - advancing equitable criminal justice reform by improving access and fairness in corrections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates parole board inclusion of mental health professionals and substance use experts, directly supporting mental health integration in justice system processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1073: An Act regarding probation violations

This bill (HD 1073) amends Massachusetts law regarding probation revocations for certain sentences. It directly affects individuals on probation who violate terms and were originally sentenced to a house of correction (not state prison). The key change gives courts discretion to impose only a portion of a suspended sentence upon revocation (instead of the full term), with the remaining suspended time automatically reduced by the time served during the revocation period. Courts must also adjust probation conditions if they impose less than the full suspended sentence. This clarifies and expands judicial flexibility in sentencing for probation violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces mandatory probation revocation sentences by allowing partial imposition and automatic time reduction, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to limit unnecessary incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1052: An Act related to indigency

HD 1052 updates Massachusetts' definition of "indigent" for court purposes, affecting individuals seeking fee waivers or legal aid in court proceedings. It adds three clear criteria: receiving specific public benefits, having income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines, or being unable to pay court costs without sacrificing basic needs like food or shelter (excluding inmates who haven't followed required procedures). The bill also requires courts to order financial reassessments when indigency status is in doubt, with probation officers filing written reports. Finally, it mandates quarterly reports to legislative committees tracking indigency determinations, misrepresentations, and procedural effectiveness by court division.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates indigency criteria to expand access to court fee waivers and legal aid, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of equitable access to courts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1757: An Act to return DOC and Parole to Health and Human Services

HD 1757 creates a special commission to study transferring Massachusetts' Department of Correction (DOC) and Parole Board from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The bill cites historical context (DOC was under Health and Human Services before 1991), current issues like 70% of DOC's budget going to labor instead of rehabilitation programs, and reports of unmet mental health care standards. The commission will examine legal implications, potential impacts on services and recidivism, fiscal effects, and practices in other states. It must hold public hearings and submit a report with recommendations by December 2026, but the bill itself does not enact the transfer - it only authorizes the study.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill highlights DOC budget inefficiency (70% to labor vs rehab) and seeks reallocation toward mental health/services via commission, promoting fiscal responsibility in spending.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill cites DOC's underfunded rehabilitation programs (70% budget to labor) and unmet mental health standards, proposing transfer to Health Services to prioritize reform - aligns with support indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses unmet mental health care standards in DOC by proposing transfer to Health and Human Services to improve care, directly linking correctional mental health to healthcare oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1048: An Act establishing a domestic violence and sexual assault probation unit

SD 1048 establishes a specialized domestic violence and sexual assault probation unit within Massachusetts court probation departments. The unit requires each court to employ a victim advocate (from an external nonprofit) to support victims who filed complaints under Chapter 209A, handle their complaints against probation officers, and provide information about their rights and case details. It also mandates that probation officers assigned exclusively to these cases complete specialized training on domestic violence and sexual assault, and requires offenders to maintain certified batterer’s treatment programs as a condition of probation. The bill directly affects victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, probation officers handling such cases, and offenders subject to Chapter 209A orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specialized probation unit with victim advocates and training to improve handling of domestic violence cases, enhancing victim support and system accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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