Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 573: An Act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1651) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to rehabilitation, re-entry, and human rights for incarcerated persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill focuses on rehabilitation, re-entry, and human rights for incarcerated people, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3632: An Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for youth

This bill (HD 3632) updates Massachusetts laws to replace all references to "18" with "the age of criminal majority" across multiple statutes. It directly affects youth involved in the juvenile justice system, particularly regarding probation periods, delinquency definitions, and youthful offender classifications. The key mechanism standardizes legal references to a defined "age of criminal majority" instead of a fixed age, allowing future adjustments to the actual age threshold through separate legislation. This change applies to sections covering probation terms (e.g., extending probation beyond age 18), definitions of "delinquent child," and youthful offender status. The bill does not set a specific new age but creates a flexible legal term for future policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates juvenile justice statutes to standardize 'age of criminal majority' references, enabling future adjustments for better youth outcomes and reducing outdated legal barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3241: An Act to build restorative family and community connection

HD 3241 requires Massachusetts state and county correctional facilities to maximize in-person visitation for incarcerated individuals by mandating specific schedules: at least two daily visiting periods (one at least four hours long), an eight-hour weekend visit, and a four-hour holiday visit. It prohibits facilities from limiting visitor numbers, excluding visitors based on criminal history, community involvement, or religious practices, or restricting physical contact like hugging during visits. The bill also mandates accommodations for children (with designated areas and activities), reasonable dress code policies respecting cultural/religious needs, and written justifications with appeal options for any visitation restrictions. Facilities must ensure visitation does not decrease below 2025 baseline levels and must exhaust all means to meet the schedule.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates family/community visitation access in correctional facilities, directly advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through strengthened family ties, a core criminal justice reform principle.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3434: An Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services

This bill (HD 3434) expands access to community-based diversion programs for youth in Massachusetts juvenile court. It directly affects minors charged with eligible offenses who would otherwise face formal court proceedings. Key changes include: removing barriers that previously disqualified youth from diversion (like referrals to court), requiring law enforcement to stop sharing juvenile arrest records with federal agencies like the FBI, and clarifying that diverted cases don’t count as criminal complaints. The bill also specifies which offenses (such as minor traffic violations or certain low-level crimes) still allow diversion, while excluding serious charges like violent offenses. These changes aim to reduce juvenile justice system involvement for non-violent cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile diversion to community services, removes barriers to rehabilitation, and prevents criminal record retention - core criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3596: An Act relative to immigration detention and collaboration agreements

This bill prohibits Massachusetts state and local government agencies (including police departments, sheriff's offices, and correctional facilities) from entering new agreements with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement or detention. It also requires all existing agreements of this type to end within 30 days (for enforcement agreements) or 90 days (for detention agreements) after the law takes effect. The Attorney General can enforce the law by seeking court orders to stop violations. The bill directly affects how Massachusetts law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities regarding detention and enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits state law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities, protecting civil rights and reducing overreach in criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state agencies from collaborating with federal immigration enforcement, limiting state involvement in detaining immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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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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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1759: An Act regarding joint venture

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1759) of Russell E. Holmes for legislation to provide equitable sentencing for felony and joint venture murder. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly seeks 'equitable sentencing for felony and joint venture murder,' directly advancing criminal justice reform by addressing sentencing fairness and disparities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 8, 2025

H 2704: An Act relative to the postpartum treatment of women in correctional facilities

By Representative Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2704) of Priscila S. Sousa, Mindy Domb and Christine P. Barber relative to the postpartum treatment of women in correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates postpartum care for women in correctional facilities, improving healthcare conditions within the corrections system, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires postpartum healthcare for incarcerated women, expanding access to essential medical services in correctional facilities95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 1124: An Act to remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1124) of Adam Gomez, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Sean Reid and other members of the General Court for legislation to remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes collateral consequences and protects presumption of innocence, key criminal justice reforms advancing defendant rights and reducing systemic barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1813: An Act promoting fairness in parole

By Representative Keefe of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1813) of Mary S. Keefe and Patricia A. Duffy relative to the temporary custody of parolees. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes fairness in parole process, directly aligning with criminal justice reform goals like equitable treatment and system improvement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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