Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1555: An Act relative to safe reporting

This bill (HD 1555) protects individuals who report crimes in good faith from being charged for certain minor offenses related to their own prior conduct. Specifically, it prevents prosecution for offenses like drug possession, prostitution, loitering, trespassing, or solicitation if the evidence for those charges came from reporting a crime. The protection applies regardless of whether the reported crime is prosecuted or leads to a conviction, and it remains in effect even if the reporter later withdraws cooperation with law enforcement. It directly affects people who report crimes but might face charges for low-level offenses connected to their reporting activity.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects crime reporters from prosecution for minor prior offenses, removing barriers to reporting and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1500: An Act relative to harm reduction and racial justice

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1391) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to harm reduction and racial justice. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes harm reduction and racial justice, directly addressing systemic biases and reducing criminalization of substance use, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill focuses on harm reduction and mental health/substance use recovery services, directly supporting healthcare access and treatment under healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 892: An Act to create Cannabis career pathways for justice-involved individuals

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 84) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to create Cannabis career pathways for justice-involved individuals. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates cannabis career pathways for justice-involved individuals, promoting reentry and reducing recidivism - direct criminal justice reform support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 5, 2025

S 84: An Act to create Cannabis career pathways for justice-involved individuals

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 84) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to create Cannabis career pathways for justice-involved individuals. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates cannabis career pathways for justice-involved individuals, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House May 11, 2026

H 184: An Act delivering a fair share of cannabis revenue to communities harmed by the war on drugs

This bill directs 50% of Massachusetts' cannabis tax revenue to a Community Reinvestment Fund. It specifically allocates these funds to communities disproportionately impacted by historical drug enforcement policies, particularly communities of color. The key mechanism is a mandatory revenue share from cannabis taxes, managed through the fund to support local economic development and social services. The bill directly affects eligible communities across Massachusetts that have faced systemic harms from the "war on drugs." This is a revenue allocation measure, not a change to cannabis laws or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 50% of cannabis tax revenue allocation to Community Reinvestment Fund, directly funding community development in impacted areas through fiscal management of tax proceeds.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directs cannabis tax revenue to communities harmed by historical drug enforcement (war on drugs), promoting criminal justice reform through targeted reinvestment in affected areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy

Track

passed both · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1057: An Act relative to fentanyl test strips

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1057) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to fentanyl test strips. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFentanyl test strips promote harm reduction, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing overdose deaths without punitive measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1837: An Act increasing penalties for the illegal sale and possession of firearms

By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1837) of David Paul Linsky relative to increasing penalties for the illegal sale and possession of firearms. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for firearm offenses, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing - opposes reform-focused criminal justice policies95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1233: An Act relative to setting proportionate penalties for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1233) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to set proportionate penalties for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets proportionate penalties for drug distribution, reducing excessive sentencing which aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 509: An Act to create cannabis career pathways to incarcerated individuals

This bill requires Massachusetts' Cannabis Control Commission to study and create pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals to work in the cannabis industry. Specifically, it mandates a study on training programs in correctional facilities and after release, with a report due by December 2024. The Commission must also develop a pilot program creating cannabis industry career pathways for this group by December 2025. The bill directly affects incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts, focusing on job training and employment opportunities within the legal cannabis sector.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates career pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism, directly advancing criminal justice reform through rehabilitation-focused employment programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 624: An Act ensuring equitable access to cannabis related expungement

HD 624 simplifies expungement for certain cannabis-related convictions in Massachusetts. It requires courts to automatically clear court records for eligible offenses (like possession of small amounts of marijuana) upon request, without needing additional hearings or actions. The bill also directs correction officials to review prison records and identify inmates held solely for now-decriminalized marijuana offenses (pre-2016 or probation/parole violations related to marijuana), allowing them to apply for immediate release within 10 days. This directly affects people with past cannabis convictions and current inmates whose detention is based solely on marijuana-related charges that are no longer criminal. The law removes procedural barriers to expungement and streamlines release for eligible individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically expunges cannabis-related convictions, reducing barriers for affected individuals and advancing criminal justice reform through record clearance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

Track