Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 1680: An Act establishing a peace officer oath

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1680) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to establish an ethic oath for peace officers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishing an ethic oath for peace officers promotes accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like enhanced police oversight.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 4464: An Act relative to the examination of evidence rooms and evidentiary procedures

This bill creates a 15-member commission to examine how law enforcement handles evidence storage and procedures. The commission will study current practices for preserving evidence, hazardous materials, DNA samples, chain of custody tracking, and staff training, plus investigate a potential statewide evidence storage facility. It must report findings and recommendations - including cost estimates and legal changes - by March 2026 to the governor and legislature. The commission directly affects law enforcement agencies, courts, and evidence management systems across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates commission to study evidence handling, chain of custody, and storage procedures to improve law enforcement practices and evidence integrity in criminal cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

HD 5246: A communication from the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office (see Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting a report on its fiscal year 2025 law enforcement trust funds for drug rehabilitation, drug education and neighborhood crime watch programs

This bill requires the Northwestern District Attorney's Office to submit a report detailing how $15,974.45 in fiscal year 2025 law enforcement trust funds were allocated across community programs. The report specifies spending on anti-drug initiatives ($4,000), neighborhood crime watch campaigns ($3,474.45), drug education ($1,000), and sponsorships like the NoFIRES Conference ($7,500). It also includes data on $85,359 in forfeited funds, representing 18.71% of total forfeited amounts. The report is mandated under Chapter 94C, Section 47(d) of the General Laws, ensuring transparency in how these funds support local crime prevention and rehabilitation efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting on funds allocated to drug education, rehabilitation, and community programs - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators like reducing recidivism through prevention.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1893: An Act to stop profiling transgender people and low-income women

H 1893, introduced by Representative Samantha Montaño, aims to address law enforcement practices targeting transgender people and low-income women. The bill's abstract states it relates to penalties for certain offenses involving these groups but does not detail specific mechanisms or policy changes. Without additional provisions in the provided abstract, the exact scope of the bill's requirements or how it would stop profiling remains unclear. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly targets discriminatory law enforcement profiling of protected groups, aligning with civil rights protections and police accountability in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 1648: An Act relative to successful de-escalation techniques

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1648) of Nick Collins for legislation to require law enforcement and student resource officers to be trained in de-escalation techniques. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates de-escalation training for law enforcement, reducing use of force and promoting criminal justice reform through improved officer conduct.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3483: An Act to safeguard judicial integrity through enhanced witness protection

This bill defines witness intimidation as using threats, force, bribes, or coercion to influence testimony, reporting, or participation in official government proceedings like court hearings or law enforcement investigations. It makes such intimidation a crime with penalties of up to 10 years in prison for physical force or up to 2½ years and a $5,000 fine for threats, bribes, or extortion. The law explicitly protects constitutionally protected speech, such as criticism of officials or public policy, and requires law enforcement to receive training to apply the law correctly without infringing on free expression. It directly affects individuals who attempt to intimidate witnesses, witnesses themselves, and law enforcement officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes witness intimidation in court proceedings, protecting testimony integrity and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of safeguarding fair trials and judicial processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Law Enforcement

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3948: An Act to improve police training

This bill (HD 3948) requires all municipal police training programs to include mandatory civil rights training for law enforcement officers. It mandates at least 8 hours of in-person basic training for new recruits and 4 hours annually for all officers on topics including lawful stops, searches, electronic surveillance, and federal civil rights protections like qualified immunity. The training must be delivered by the Committee for Public Counsel Services or its designees and covers specific, current legal procedures for officer conduct. The bill also directs a committee to establish annual training standards for compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandatory civil rights training for officers directly enhances police accountability and protects civil rights per bill's specific requirements on stops, searches, and federal protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 18, 2025

H 4397: An Act relative to civil asset forfeiture

H 4397 amends Massachusetts civil asset forfeiture law to increase transparency and fairness in property seizures. It requires the government to prove property is forfeitable by a preponderance of evidence (shifting the burden from the owner), directs all forfeited assets and sale proceeds to the state general fund (not law enforcement), and mandates annual public reports detailing seizures, proceeds, and public counsel representation. The bill applies to property valued over $250, including vehicles, real estate, and cash. These changes affect property owners, law enforcement, courts, and the public by standardizing procedures and ensuring accountability in forfeiture cases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects forfeiture proceeds to state general fund, increasing general revenue without tax changes, supporting fiscal management and budget transparency.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts burden to government, prevents law enforcement profit, mandates transparency - directly advancing criminal justice reform through asset forfeiture reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1666: An Act relative to capital punishment for the murder of law enforcement officers

By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1666) of David F. DeCoste and others relative to capital punishment for the murder of law enforcement officers. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes capital punishment for murder of law enforcement officers, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization, opposing criminal justice reform trends.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

HD 4886: An Act ensuring law enforcement identification and public trust

By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James K. Hawkins and others relative to penalties for law enforcement officers wearing masks or personal disguises while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes penalties for officers wearing masks during public interactions, enhancing police accountability and public trust per Judiciary committee focus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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