Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1607: An Act protecting bank employees and customers

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1607) of Tackey Chan relative to the punishment for bank robbery. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill specifies punishment for bank robbery, increasing penalties, matching 'oppose' indicator of increased mandatory sentences.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1625: An Act relative to the assault on and aggravated harassment of sports officials

By Representative Consalvo of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1625) of Rob Consalvo relative to assault upon and aggravated harassment of sports officials. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets assault/harassment of sports officials under Judiciary, strengthening legal accountability for violent acts against protected individuals in criminal justice context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1308: An Act relative to repeat violent firearm offenders

This bill (SD 1308) requires courts to detain individuals who violate release conditions by committing specific firearm or violent offenses. It applies to people already charged with violent crimes (defined under Mass. law) or firearm offenses, who were released after certain hearings but then commit a new offense involving a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machinegun, or assault weapon, or commit a violent crime while on release. Judicial officers must order detention after a hearing using "clear and convincing evidence" of the violation. Detention cannot exceed 120 days in district court or 180 days in superior court without justification. The law aims to quickly address community safety risks posed by repeat offenders violating release terms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates detention for repeat violent firearm offenders, increasing mandatory sentences and restricting defendant rights95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 753: An Act relative to assault and battery against healthcare personnel, school officials, and first responders

This bill (HD 753) increases penalties for assault and battery against specific protected groups while they are performing their duties. It directly affects healthcare personnel (like nurses), school staff (teachers, librarians, counselors, nurses, psychologists), school event officials (referees), and police dogs. The law adds new provisions to criminal penalties, making it a felony to assault these individuals during work hours, with punishments including up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The bill targets violence against essential workers in healthcare and education settings, aiming to strengthen legal protections for them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases felony penalties for assaults on protected groups, strengthening criminal justice by enhancing protections for healthcare, school, and first responders.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare personnel (nurses, etc.) from assault, enhancing workplace safety for providers and strengthening healthcare delivery infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 140: An Act relative to missing Black women and girls in Massachusetts

HD 140 creates a new Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls within Massachusetts' public safety department. It establishes an Ebony Alert system (similar to Amber Alerts but for Black women and girls reported missing under suspicious circumstances) and mandates the office to collect and analyze data on missing persons, homicide, trafficking, and domestic violence cases involving Black women and girls. The bill requires the office to track case resolution rates, compare outcomes across demographics, develop recommendations for policy changes, and issue grants to community organizations supporting victims and prevention efforts. This law directly affects Black women and girls in Massachusetts who go missing or are victims of violence, aiming to address systemic gaps in how their cases are handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Ebony Alert system and data-tracking office to address disparities in missing persons cases involving Black women/girls, promoting equity and accountability in criminal justice response.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 25, 2025

H 4536: An Act to establish a DNA exception rule for victims of rape

This bill (H 4536) extends the retention period for rape evidence kits from the current standard to 15 years and creates a new exception to the statute of limitations for rape cases. It directly affects victims of sexual assault and law enforcement by allowing prosecutors to file charges years after the crime if the perpetrator's identity is confirmed through DNA evidence collected during the original investigation. The key provision states that charges for specific rape offenses (under Chapter 265 sections 22-23B) can be filed at any time if DNA from the original evidence identifies the suspect after the standard time limit expires. This change aims to support cases where DNA evidence becomes available later, without requiring the original investigation to have been completed within the usual timeframe.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends rape evidence retention to 15 years and allows DNA-based prosecution after statute of limitations, supporting victim access to justice and reform in sexual assault cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1040: An Act relative to the statute of limitations in rape, assault and human trafficking crimes

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1040) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to the statute of limitations in rape, assault and human trafficking crimes. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends statute of limitations for rape, assault, and human trafficking, enabling prosecution of serious crimes after longer periods, strengthening victim access to justice and criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1213: An Act relative to improving sexual violence survivor protections

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1213) of Michael O. Moore, James B. Eldridge and James K. Hawkins for legislation to establish a bill of rights for survivors of sexual assault and related purposes. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes bill of rights for sexual assault survivors, directly protecting civil rights and enhancing accountability in criminal justice proceedings per Judiciary committee focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1676: An Act to respect and protect domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors

By Representative DuBois of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1676) of Michelle M. DuBois for legislation to protect domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly protects domestic violence and sexual assault victims, advancing victim rights and safety within the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1896: An Act providing for the allowance of early evidence kits

By Representative Montaño of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1896) of Samantha Montaño relative to the admissibility of professional services that enable the early collection and storage of DNA after a sexual assault. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables early DNA evidence collection for sexual assault cases, improving case resolution and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of evidence preservation and victim support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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