Criminal Justice

in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 15, 2025

HD 5223: An Act relative to penalties for assault and battery on a police officer

By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven George Xiarhos and others relative to penalties for assault and battery on a police officer. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assault on police officers, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator under 'oppose' stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · Massachusetts · House May 20, 2026

H 4637: An Act relative to civil rights and technology

This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, or operation of robotic devices (like drones) equipped with weapons (e.g., guns, lasers, explosives), with penalties including mandatory minimum prison sentences. It also bans using robots to threaten, harass, or physically restrain people. Key exemptions include military/defense uses (Department of Defense, National Guard, defense contractors under specific waivers) and law enforcement actions for bomb disposal, property destruction in emergencies, or training. The bill requires law enforcement to obtain warrants for robot deployments on private property or for surveillance, document all uses quarterly, and report publicly. It also allows civil lawsuits for violations and mandates public reporting of law enforcement robot usage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentences for weaponized robot offenses, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits weaponized robotic devices (drones with weapons), restricting dangerous tech applications. Exemptions for military/law enforcement don't negate core restriction on civilian use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2597: An Act relative to the definition of law enforcement officers as pertaining to possession of firearms

By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2597) of David F. DeCoste and Mackenzie Slocumb for legislation to further regulate the possession of firearms by law enforcement officers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates firearm possession by law enforcement officers, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 10, 2025

HD 5305: An Act relative to no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Adam J. Scanlon relative to no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables free communication for incarcerated individuals, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

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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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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2063: An Act relative to corrections officer safety

By Representative Zlotnik of Gardner, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2063) of Jonathan D. Zlotnik and others relative to penalties for assault and battery upon corrections officers and other Department of Correction staff. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assault on corrections officers, directly enhancing staff safety within the corrections system, a core criminal justice protection measure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill imposes penalties for assaults on corrections officers, strengthening workplace safety protections for this labor group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1923: An Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for youth

By Representatives O'Day of West Boylston and Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1923) of James J. O'Day, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and others relative to the age of criminal majority. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses age of criminal majority to promote youth outcomes, aligning with reform indicators like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation pathways for young offenders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1262: An Act relative to hate crimes

Based on the provided information, Senate Bill S 1262 is legislation focused on hate crimes. However, the context does not provide further details on specific mechanisms, provisions, or who it directly affects beyond the general subject matter.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHate crime legislation typically enhances victim protections and accountability, aligning with civil rights and criminal justice reform indicators without restrictive language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 294: An Act relative to illegal drug and firearm trafficking

This bill (HD 294) imposes stricter penalties for individuals convicted of both opioid/heroin trafficking and firearm trafficking. It mandates a potential life sentence in state prison plus a $500,000 fine for those found guilty of both offenses under specified sections of Massachusetts law. The bill also prohibits prosecutors from dismissing or delaying such cases and bars convicted individuals from early release options like furlough or sentence reductions for good behavior. This directly affects people convicted of combined drug and firearm trafficking, creating a mandatory maximum penalty with no leniency for good conduct.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life sentences and fines for drug/firearm trafficking, bars early release, and restricts prosecutorial discretion - increasing penalties and reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates prison education programs and improved food standards to enhance rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates correctional facilities to partner with colleges for prisoner college credit programs, expanding educational access for incarcerated individuals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates federal nutrition guidelines, 20-minute meals, and water access in prisons, advancing public health standards within correctional facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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