Criminal Justice (Corrections) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3071: An Act relative to pill press machines

HD 3071 prohibits possessing, selling, or delivering pill press machines, drug molds, or counterfeiting materials if known to be used for manufacturing controlled substances or counterfeit drugs. Violators face felony charges with penalties of up to 5 years in prison or $25,000 fines. The bill requires the Board of Registration in Pharmacy to create rules for legal use and licensing of these machines and may mandate registration of such equipment. This directly affects individuals and businesses handling pill presses, including legitimate pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors who must comply with the new regulations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 21, 2025

S 1709: An Act to save lives by distributing narcan to individuals at risk for an overdose

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1709) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to distribute Narcan to a detainee or prisoner at risk for an overdose upon discharge from a correctional facility. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 531: An Act relative to prison reform

HD 531 requires Massachusetts correctional facilities to partner with public colleges to create educational programs, enabling prisoners with a high school diploma to earn college credits toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. It mandates the Department of Correction to develop new food standards within six months, including federal nutrition guidelines, 20-minute seated meal times, access to drinking water, and prohibitions on food-related punishments. The bill also establishes two commissions - one to study health care in prisons and another to examine mental health impacts of disciplinary confinement - with reports due by January 2022. These changes directly affect prisoners, correctional facilities, and food service providers across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2756: An Act establishing reasonable limitations on the solitary confinement of inmates 21 years of age or younger

This bill limits solitary confinement for inmates under 21 in Massachusetts correctional facilities. It prohibits keeping any inmate under 21 in isolation for more than 48 hours, except when they pose an immediate threat to safety, requiring a written report justifying continued confinement. Superintendents must document threats and can extend confinement by up to 24 additional hours only if evidence supports the ongoing risk. The bill does not change solitary confinement rules for inmates over 21, who may still be confined for up to 15 days. It directly affects young inmates in state prisons and local jails, aiming to restrict prolonged isolation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2258: An Act to facilitate the reintegration of returning citizens through license reinstatement and payment reform

SD 2258 allows individuals returning from incarceration to temporarily restore their driver's licenses through a payment plan. It requires applicants to have held a license before incarceration and agree to pay outstanding fees, fines, or penalties in installments. The temporary license remains valid only if payments are kept current; failure to pay may lead to revocation after 30 days' notice. This bill directly affects returning citizens who owe fees to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, streamlining license reinstatement without requiring full payment upfront. The policy creates a structured payment mechanism for license restoration under Massachusetts law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3992: An Act increasing penalties for certain violent acts

This bill amends Massachusetts law (Chapter 265, Section 15D) to increase maximum prison sentences for certain violent crimes. It raises the maximum penalty for one offense from 5 years to 10 years and for another from 10 years to 15 years. The change directly affects individuals convicted under these specific sections of the criminal code. The law makes no new definitions or procedures - only adjusts the maximum possible sentences for these offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1707: An Act relative to criminal harassment against a sports official

HD 1707 makes it a crime to intentionally and maliciously threaten a sports official (like a referee, umpire, or scorer) during a sporting event with serious bodily injury, causing a reasonable fear for safety. It directly affects officials at school, college, community, or semiprofessional games covered under the bill's definition. First offenses carry up to 2.5 years in jail or a $1,000 fine, while repeat offenses can lead to 5-10 years in state prison. The law specifically targets threats directed at officials acting in their capacity, whether paid or volunteer, during organized athletic events.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1752: An Act creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the special legislative commission on structural racism in correctional facilities of the Commonwealth

This bill creates an independent oversight office within Massachusetts' Office of Inspector General to address structural racism in correctional facilities, as recommended by a state legislative commission. The office, led by an appointed "anti-racism corrections inspector general," will collect and analyze data on racial disparities - including by race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, and sexual orientation - to monitor the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. The inspector general must have expertise in structural racism and restorative justice, cannot have prior ties to the Department of Corrections, and will report findings to the legislature and public. This office will track progress in dismantling racial inequities in healthcare, programming, staffing, and facility operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1553: An Act increasing penalties for hit and runs with recreational vehicles in the Commonwealth to be known as the James Ward Act

This bill increases penalties for hit-and-run incidents involving recreational vehicles (like ATVs or snowmobiles) that cause injury or death. For non-fatal collisions where the driver flees without providing details, penalties now include up to one year in jail or a $500-$1,000 fine (previously only a fine). For hit-and-runs resulting in death, penalties rise to up to 2.5 years in jail or a $5,000 fine (previously less severe). The law directly affects recreational vehicle operators who flee after causing injury or death, aiming to strengthen accountability for these specific offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1634: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1117) of Cindy F. Friedman, Michael J. Barrett, Russell E. Holmes, John F. Keenan and others for legislation relative to treatment, not incarceration. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

All criminal justice bills