Criminal Justice

in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 14, 2025

H 4469: An Act regarding probation violations

H 4469 amends Massachusetts probation laws to change sentencing options when probation is revoked for individuals sentenced to a house of correction. It replaces the previous rule requiring full sentence imposition with new court discretion: judges can now impose either the full suspended term or a portion of it, with the remaining suspended time reduced by the period served during revocation. If a partial sentence is given, courts may also adjust probation conditions. This directly affects people on probation who violate terms and receive house of correction sentences, providing judges more flexibility while reducing potential sentence length based on actual time served during revocation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeGives judges discretion to impose partial sentences instead of full terms upon probation revocation, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1050: An Act to enhance fairness and increase positive outcomes for children

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1050) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to electronic monitoring of juveniles. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill focuses on juvenile electronic monitoring to enhance fairness and positive outcomes, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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 · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1642: An Act concerning the arrest without a warrant of persons on probation and temporary custody

By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1642) of Michael S. Day relative to arrests without a warrant of persons on probation and temporary custody. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses warrant requirements for probationer arrests, protecting civil rights by preventing arbitrary detention per Judiciary committee focus.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1081: An Act to prevent the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences based on juvenile adjudications

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1081) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to prevent the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences based on juvenile adjudications. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents mandatory minimum sentences tied to juvenile records, reducing harsh sentencing and advancing criminal justice reform by protecting youth from disproportionate penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1640: An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board

By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1640) of Michael S. Day relative to the roles and responsibilities of the Victim and Witness Assistance Board. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modernizes victim/witness assistance board roles under Judiciary, directly supporting victim rights and system effectiveness in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1792: An Act relative to juvenile restitution

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1792) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to authorizing the courts of the Commonwealth to establish a system of juvenile restitution. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes juvenile restitution system, promoting rehabilitation over punishment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Victims' Rights

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1268: An Act to enhance the authority of courts to protect public safety

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1268) of Bruce E. Tarr, Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to enhance the authority of courts to protect public safety. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances court authority for public safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like protecting communities without restricting rights or funding.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1708: An Act criminalizing sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator

By Representative Galvin of Canton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1708) of William C. Galvin relative to criminalizing sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCriminalizes rideshare operator sexual assault, enhancing victim protection and legal accountability in criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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