Criminal Justice

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4998: An Act relative to offenses while driving on a non-administrative license suspension

Bill H 4998 increases penalties for drivers who operate a vehicle while their license is suspended or revoked and cause harm. It establishes three penalty tiers based on injury severity: up to 2.5 years in jail or $1,000 for minor injury, up to 5 years in prison or $3,000 for serious injury, and up to 10 years in prison or $5,000 for causing death. The bill mandates automatic license revocation for 60 days to 2 years after conviction (longer for severe cases) and prohibits probation or parole for serious violations. It applies specifically to drivers who were ineligible for a license or had a suspended license due to prior violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences (up to 10 years) and prohibits probation/parole, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and reduced defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SD 3623: Plymouth District Attorney -- 2025 Forfeiture Report

Report of the Plymouth District Attorney (pursuant to Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting its 2025 report relative to the use of monies in the law enforcement trust fund for the purposes of drug rehabilitation, drug education, and other anti-drug or neighborhood crime watch programs

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates report on law enforcement trust fund use for drug rehabilitation, education, and community programs, promoting rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform over punitive measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 27, 2026

H 2693: An Act relative to elder and medical parole

By Representatives Sabadosa of Northampton and Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2693) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Erika Uyterhoeven and others relative to elder and medical parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes parole for elderly/medically vulnerable inmates, reducing incarceration for non-threatening cases aligns with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1589: An Act to amend the definition of hate crime

By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1589) of Christine P. Barber and Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to the definition of hate crime. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends hate crime definition, likely broadening protections for victims of bias-motivated violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to enhance accountability and civil rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1929: An Act to expand juvenile court justice access

By Representative Paulino of Methuen, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1929) of Francisco E. Paulino for legislation to increase the assignment, distribution and training of justices in the juvenile court. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile court access and training for justices, advancing reform goals like improved rehabilitation and fairer outcomes for minors in the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2025

H 4360: An Act requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers

H 4360 requires licensed hotels, motels, and similar lodging establishments (excluding those exempt from room tax) to mandate human trafficking recognition training for all employees. The training, approved by the Attorney General, must cover trafficking definitions, victim identification, and include the national hotline number. Establishments must also post a standard notice in visible areas like lobbies and restrooms. This bill directly affects hospitality businesses and aims to equip staff with tools to recognize and report trafficking, with implementation overseen by the Attorney General. The bill passed the House unanimously (158-0) on July 30, 2025, and now awaits action in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates human trafficking recognition training for hospitality workers to identify victims and report to authorities, directly supporting victim protection and law enforcement efforts in combating human trafficking, a core criminal justice i...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 10, 2025

H 2614: An Act relative to medical parole

By Representative Galvin of Canton (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2614) of Paul McAuliffe relative to medical parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMedical parole reduces prison populations for terminally ill inmates, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of compassionate sentencing and reducing unnecessary incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 4218: An Act to reform the parole board

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4218) of Russell E. Holmes relative to reforming the parole board. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly seeks to reform the parole board, a core criminal justice component, aligning with reform goals like improving oversight and reducing recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2051: An Act to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults

By Representatives Worrell of Boston and Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2051) of Christopher J. Worrell, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to limit sentencing for juveniles and youth. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds lifetime parole for juveniles, reducing harsh sentencing and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1653: An Act relative to firearm industry accountability and gun violence victims’ access to justice

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1653) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Jason M. Lewis, David Paul Linsky, Christopher Richard Flanagan and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to firearm industry accountability and gun violence victims’ access to justice. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances victims' access to justice in gun violence cases, aligning with criminal justice reform by promoting accountability and victim rights within the system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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