Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1838: An Act requiring the inclusion of certain civil rights offense information in the statewide domestic violence recordkeeping system

By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1838) of David Paul Linsky for legislation to require the inclusion of certain civil rights offense information in the statewide domestic violence record keeping system. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates inclusion of civil rights offense data in domestic violence records, directly protecting civil rights and enhancing criminal justice recordkeeping transparency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 1760: An Act to provide equitable sentencing for felony murder

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1760) of Russell E. Holmes relative to sentencing for felony murder. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets equitable sentencing for felony murder, directly advancing criminal justice reform by addressing sentencing disparities and promoting fairer outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1554: An Act to secure housing for returning citizens

By Representative Montaño of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1554) of Samantha Montaño that the Department of Housing and Community Development provide for programs, policies, guidelines, priorities and preferences for the housing of formerly incarcerated persons reentering communities. Housing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides housing programs for formerly incarcerated persons, reducing recidivism and supporting reentry - key criminal justice reform measure.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates housing programs for formerly incarcerated persons, advancing access to affordable housing through Department initiatives and priorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homelessness Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 874: An Act relative to voting rights restoration

By Representative Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 874) of Erika Uyterhoeven for legislation to restore voting rights to incarcerated felons. Election Laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for incarcerated felons, directly advancing criminal justice reform by enhancing reintegration and civil rights for formerly incarcerated individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 4464: An Act relative to the examination of evidence rooms and evidentiary procedures

This bill creates a 15-member commission to examine how law enforcement handles evidence storage and procedures. The commission will study current practices for preserving evidence, hazardous materials, DNA samples, chain of custody tracking, and staff training, plus investigate a potential statewide evidence storage facility. It must report findings and recommendations - including cost estimates and legal changes - by March 2026 to the governor and legislature. The commission directly affects law enforcement agencies, courts, and evidence management systems across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates commission to study evidence handling, chain of custody, and storage procedures to improve law enforcement practices and evidence integrity in criminal cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 4028: An Act to return DOC and Parole to Health and Human Services

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4028) of Russell E. Holmes for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to transferring the Department of Correction and the Parole Board from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransferring DOC and Parole to Health and Human Services aligns with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform, shifting oversight from punitive to health/social services approach.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2658: An Act to provide reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals

By Representatives Livingstone of Boston and Domb of Amherst, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2658) of Jay D. Livingstone, Mindy Domb and others for legislation to provide reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals, addressing a correctional health need. This aligns with criminal justice reform by improving conditions in corrections, a key component of the topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly provides reproductive health care access to incarcerated individuals, expanding healthcare coverage for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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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

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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

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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

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