Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1990: An Act relative to civil asset forfeiture transparency and data reporting

By Representatives Sena of Acton and González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1990) of Danillo A. Sena and Carlos González relative to civil asset forfeiture transparency and data reporting. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates transparency and data reporting on civil asset forfeiture, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1872: An Act to improve transparency in alleged police misconduct

By Representative Markey of Dartmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1872) of Christopher M. Markey relative to alleged police misconduct. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates transparency in police misconduct cases, directly enhancing law enforcement accountability - a core criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1063: An Act to enhance the rights of crime victims in the Commonwealth

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1063) of Julian Cyr for legislation to enhance the rights of crime victims in the Commonwealth. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnhances crime victims' rights, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform as per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2636: An Act creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the special legislative commission on structural racism in correctional facilities of the Commonwealth

By Representatives Holmes of Boston and Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2636) of Russell E. Holmes, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to authorize an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent oversight for correctional facilities to address structural racism, advancing criminal justice reform through enhanced accountability and equity measures.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 123: An Act eliminating mandatory minimum sentences related to drug offenses

This bill eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences for specific drug offenses covered under sections 32, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, and 32E of Chapter 94C. It removes language requiring minimum prison terms for these offenses and replaces it with maximum fine limits (ranging from $10,000 to $500,000) while eliminating the mandatory minimum prison component. The change directly affects individuals convicted of qualifying drug offenses under these amended sections, giving judges discretion to impose sentences without mandatory prison time. The bill modifies sentencing structures by focusing solely on fine caps rather than prison terms for these specific drug-related convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates mandatory minimum drug sentences, granting judicial discretion - core criminal justice reform aligned with reducing harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 408: An Act relative to voting rights restoration

This bill removes automatic voting restrictions for people with felony convictions by amending two sections of state law. It deletes language that previously excluded individuals convicted of felonies (or incarcerated for felonies) from voting rights. As a result, people with felony convictions - whether currently incarcerated or not - will regain voting eligibility without needing additional legal steps. The bill directly affects all state residents who have been convicted of a felony and meet other standard voting requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for felons, promoting rehabilitation and civil rights - key criminal justice reform indicator95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 486: An Act for the Youth Court Justice Fund

HD 486 establishes a Youth Court Justice Fund that allocates 34% of forfeiture proceeds from certain cases (like drug and property crimes) to support youth-focused programs. At least 50% of these funds must directly support Youth Courts - defined as non-profit or public programs using restorative justice for first-time juvenile offenders - and the fund also requires 33% for prosecutors and 33% for police departments involved in seizures. The bill mandates annual reports detailing fund distribution to state committees and local police, ensuring transparency in how these monies are spent on juvenile diversion initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates forfeiture proceeds to fund youth justice programs, specifying budget distribution for restorative services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates forfeiture funds to restorative justice Youth Courts for juveniles, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration - direct criminal justice reform funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 596: An Act relative to voting rights

This bill removes language that previously barred people with felony convictions from voting if they were incarcerated. It amends two sections of state law to eliminate the specific exceptions for "felony conviction" and "incarcerated in a correctional facility due to a felony conviction." The change directly affects individuals who have completed their sentences but were previously denied voting rights under these provisions. The policy shift allows these voters to register and participate in elections without further legal barriers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves voting barriers for people with felony convictions post-sentence, advancing criminal justice reform by restoring civil rights and promoting reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 616: An Act authorizing application of good conduct sentence deductions for completion credits earned during pre-trial detention

HD 616 allows people held in pre-trial detention to earn good conduct credits that reduce their eventual sentence. The bill amends sentencing law to state that credits earned during pre-trial detention accumulate but only apply after a person is sentenced. These accumulated credits expire upon final release from custody related to the original charges and cannot be used for future sentences. This directly affects individuals awaiting trial who earn such credits while in detention. The change clarifies that pre-trial credit accumulation is permitted but does not alter when credits become applicable.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows pre-trial detainees to earn sentence-reducing credits for good conduct, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting rehabilitation and reducing sentence lengths.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 310: An Act to prevent the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences based on juvenile adjudications

This bill prevents Massachusetts courts from using juvenile court findings (such as delinquency or youthful offender rulings) as prior convictions to impose enhanced sentences on adults or juveniles. It amends state law to explicitly state that juvenile adjudications - including those from other states - cannot trigger sentencing enhancements, and clarifies that these findings will not be counted as prior offenses. Additionally, the bill requires resentencing for current inmates serving sentences based on such juvenile findings, without increasing their sentence length, probation, or parole terms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents mandatory minimum sentences using juvenile adjudications, reducing harsh sentencing and advancing criminal justice reform by protecting youth from lifelong penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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