Criminal Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 348: An Act to reduce mass incarceration

This bill modifies Massachusetts sentencing laws to increase parole eligibility for certain life-sentence prisoners. It requires that individuals serving multiple life sentences for separate crimes become eligible for parole after 25 years, removes automatic parole exclusions for some life-sentence prisoners, and sets minimum terms for first-degree murder convictions (25 years for adults, 15-20 years for those aged 14-18). The bill also establishes a voluntary Restorative Justice program in prisons for those serving over 25 years, allowing structured dialogue between offenders, victims, and communities to address harm. These changes directly affect prisoners serving life sentences under specific circumstances, particularly those convicted of murder or multiple offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases parole eligibility for life-sentence prisoners, removes automatic exclusions, and establishes Restorative Justice program - directly advancing criminal justice reform to reduce mass incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1570: An Act to provide reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals

This bill requires Massachusetts correctional facilities to provide free contraceptive services - including reversible methods, emergency contraception, and nonprescription options - to all incarcerated individuals capable of pregnancy upon request, with no unnecessary obstacles. It mandates family planning counseling 60-180 days before release, ensures continuity of prescribed birth control methods, and requires facilities to post clear information about reproductive health rights. For pregnant individuals, the bill guarantees they can determine their own abortion eligibility under state law, with informed consent required and prison staff barred from making such decisions. The Department of Correction must implement these changes within one year of passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides reproductive healthcare in correctional facilities, enhancing inmate well-being and rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free contraceptive services, counseling, and continuity of care for incarcerated individuals, expanding access to reproductive healthcare in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 407: Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to voting rights

HD 407 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove a provision that currently bars individuals incarcerated for felony convictions from voting. The bill would strike the exception from the state constitution, eliminating the specific language that denies voting rights to people in correctional facilities due to felony offenses. This change would directly affect thousands of incarcerated individuals across the state who are serving sentences for felonies but are otherwise eligible to vote. If approved, it would restore voting rights to these individuals while they remain incarcerated, without requiring them to complete their sentences first.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for incarcerated felons, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and promoting reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 873: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

HD 873 changes how courts handle probation for individuals with substance use disorders. It requires courts to assess whether someone on probation needs treatment instead of solely mandating drug testing. If treatment is ordered, courts must use licensed providers or evidence-based programs and cannot impose extra testing beyond the treatment plan. Crucially, a positive test or relapse during treatment is not considered a probation violation, shifting focus from punishment to supporting recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts probation focus from punishment to treatment for substance use disorders, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by prioritizing rehabilitation over incarceration.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates treatment over incarceration for substance use disorders, improving access to healthcare services and removing punitive barriers to recovery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2093: An Act relative to the well-being of new mothers and infants

HD 2093 modifies Massachusetts criminal justice procedures for female defendants who gave birth within 12 months before their alleged crime and are experiencing perinatal mental health conditions like postpartum depression or psychosis. It requires mandatory screening by a treating physician, expert evaluation by a reproductive psychiatrist within 48 hours, and specialized treatment plans including parenting support services for those committed to facilities. The bill also establishes new outpatient treatment pathways with specific safety reviews, including requiring consultation with a reproductive psychiatry expert and victim notification for female defendants with perinatal mental health conditions. This applies solely to criminal defendants in the justice system, not to general maternal healthcare access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeModifies criminal justice procedures to prioritize mental health treatment and parenting support for new mothers instead of standard incarceration, advancing rehabilitation-focused reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health screenings, psychiatric evaluations, and specialized treatment plans for perinatal conditions, directly advancing mental health services within healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Women's Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1760: An Act relative to sexual assault by an officer

HD 1760 amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions related to sexual assault by law enforcement officers. It defines "control" to include supervising minors in training, interacting with suspects during investigations, or implying arrest power, and defines "coercion" to include threats of harm, schemes causing fear, or abuse of legal processes. The bill requires all law enforcement agencies to create and publicly post policies within 180 days prohibiting officers from engaging in sexual contact with suspects in prostitution investigations. These policies must specifically ban such conduct during active investigations. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and officers interacting with suspects.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement policies prohibiting officer sexual assault, clarifies accountability definitions (control/coercion), directly enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1469: An Act relative to the well-being of law enforcement officers after involvement in a critical incident

This bill requires Massachusetts law enforcement agencies to create and maintain formal support programs for officers involved in critical incidents - such as line-of-duty deaths, life-threatening injuries, or traumatic events affecting officers or their families. The programs must include pre-incident training, immediate safety protocols, confidential mental health services (including telehealth), peer support, and return-to-duty guidelines. Agencies must review and update these programs at least every two years. The policy directly affects law enforcement officers, their families, and significant others by mandating accessible, structured support following traumatic incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes mental health support for law enforcement officers after critical incidents, enhancing officer well-being and operational effectiveness within law enforcement framework.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates confidential mental health services (including telehealth) for law enforcement officers, directly advancing healthcare access through required support programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1012: An Act relative to special regulations for vehicle specific checkpoints

This bill prohibits law enforcement from conducting vehicle safety checkpoints that target specific types of vehicles, decorations, or riders. It directly affects police enforcement practices by banning selective stops based on vehicle appearance or rider characteristics. The law includes exceptions for public transportation carriers (like buses), commercial vehicles used for construction or goods transport, and oversized vehicles regulated under other laws. The bill does not restrict standard traffic safety checks on all vehicles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans selective vehicle checkpoints based on appearance/rider characteristics, reducing discriminatory enforcement and enhancing police accountability - key criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2078: An Act to eliminate standard conditions in probation

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1129) of Adam Gomez for legislation to eliminate standard conditions in probation. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminating standard probation conditions enables individualized case management, reducing unnecessary restrictions and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2180: An Act relative to judicial discretion for probation

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1162) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to judicial discretion for probation. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill grants judges discretion in probation, enabling individualized sentencing to reduce recidivism and align with criminal justice reform goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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