Criminal Justice (Courts)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1114: An Act requiring clean slate automated record sealing

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1114) of Cindy F. Friedman, Adam Gomez, Joanne M. Comerford, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide easier and greater access to record sealing. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables automatic record sealing to reduce barriers for individuals with past convictions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism and promote rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 735: An Act protecting bank employees and customers

This bill (SD 735) increases penalties for armed robberies targeting banks and credit unions in Massachusetts. It mandates a minimum 5-year prison sentence for first-time armed bank/credit union robberies (using firearms or weapons), rising to 15 years for repeat offenses. Non-armed bank/credit union robberies now carry a minimum 30-month sentence. The bill also clarifies court jurisdiction for related cases, allowing lawsuits to be filed where the victim or defendant resides or works.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for bank robberies (5-15 years), aligning with 'oppose' indicators of strengthening punitive measures without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1790: An Act regarding conditions of release in Superior Court

This bill amends Massachusetts' Superior Court release conditions to give judges clearer authority to impose specific restrictions on defendants. It removes a limitation ("and may") that previously restricted judges' ability to add conditions, and adds new language allowing judges to require defendants to avoid contact with alleged victims or witnesses as a condition of release. The key change directly affects defendants awaiting trial who are released before court proceedings. These provisions aim to strengthen protections for victims and witnesses during pretrial release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies judges' authority to impose victim-contact restrictions during pre-trial release, enhancing court safety protocols and victim protection within criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4146: An Act to ensure all Massachusetts litigants due process of law

This bill mandates that all Massachusetts courts must provide due process of law to every litigant, as required by the Massachusetts Constitution and U.S. Constitution. It requires courts to follow specific procedural rights - including notice, answer, jury trial, discovery, and appeal - in every case, while prohibiting discrimination based on race, gender, disability, or financial status. The bill also ensures equal access to public hearings and records, and states that any court proceeding failing to meet these standards lacks jurisdiction. It directly affects all Massachusetts courts and every person involved in a legal case within the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates due process, prohibits discrimination in courts, and ensures equal access - directly advancing criminal justice reform through fairness and civil rights protection in legal proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1356: An Act to remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence

This bill modifies Massachusetts law to reduce barriers for people with unconvicted or pending criminal charges. It requires automatic sealing of records for offenses that didn't result in conviction (removing waiting periods and court petitions), adds a written notice about the presumption of innocence when sharing such records, and ensures juveniles' records are sealed automatically without requiring them to file requests. The changes directly affect individuals charged but not convicted, including juveniles, by streamlining access to sealed records without court orders. Key provisions include reducing the number of offenses triggering collateral consequences and eliminating requirements for individuals to petition for record sealing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill automatically seals unconvicted records, removes barriers, and protects presumption of innocence - directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing collateral consequences for unconvicted individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 1393: Resolve establishing a special commission on the treatment of intellectually and developmentally disabled offenders in the criminal justice system

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 156) of Joan B. Lovely and Susannah M. Whipps that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to tthe treatment of intellectually and developmentally disabled offenders in the criminal justice system. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to study treatment of disabled offenders, aligning with reform goals to improve system fairness and accommodations for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1302: An Act relative to civil asset forfeiture improvements

HD 1302 raises the standard of proof in civil asset forfeiture cases from "probable cause" to "beyond a reasonable doubt" for the state to seize property, making it harder to forfeit assets. It creates a Special Public Attorney and Drug Rehabilitation Trust Fund, funded by forfeiture proceeds, to provide free legal defense for low-income individuals and support drug treatment, mental health services, and prevention programs. The bill also requires law enforcement to file court complaints within a set timeframe for property seizures of $3,000 or more and mandates a stay in civil forfeiture cases until related criminal cases are resolved. Additionally, it requires annual public reports detailing the fund's finances, expenditures, and outcomes from funded programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds drug treatment/legal defense via forfeiture proceeds, directing existing revenue to public services per bill's trust fund provision95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises burden of proof in asset forfeiture, creates legal defense fund & rehab programs, aligns with reform goals95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Drug Rehabilitation Trust Fund funding mental health services via forfeiture proceeds, directly supporting mental health care access as per topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Mental Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1910: An Act regarding willful injury to public defenders and other court personnel

By Representative Murphy of Weymouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1910) of James M. Murphy relative to the penalties for willful injury to public defenders and other court personnel. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for injuring court personnel, protecting judicial system functionality and personnel safety within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1599: An Act for the Youth Court Justice Fund

By Representative Cabral of New Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1599) of Antonio F. D. Cabral for legislation to establish a youth restorative justice fund. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes youth restorative justice fund, directly promoting rehabilitation-focused reform over punitive approaches in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 156: Resolve establishing a special commission on the treatment of intellectually and developmentally disabled offenders in the criminal justice system

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 156) of Joan B. Lovely and Susannah M. Whipps that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to tthe treatment of intellectually and developmentally disabled offenders in the criminal justice system. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates commission to study treatment of disabled offenders in criminal justice system, aligning with reform goals to improve practices and address systemic gaps.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track