Criminal Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4009: An Act relative to justice for survivors

This bill creates the "Massachusetts Survivors Act," allowing adults and children charged with crimes who are survivors of abuse, sexual assault, or human trafficking to seek relief in their criminal cases. Defendants can file a motion at any time after being charged, requesting pretrial diversion (suspended proceedings), reduced sentences, or postconviction relief, supported by evidence like court records, medical documentation, or expert testimony. The court must issue written findings on eligibility and sentence, and the Attorney General must annually report on all motions filed, granted, and demographic details. The law ensures no prior legal finding of abuse is required and protects defendants' constitutional rights during the process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables survivors of abuse/trafficking to seek pretrial diversion, reduced sentences, and postconviction relief, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through trauma-informed justice.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1519: An Act relative to "Critical Incident Leave"

This bill requires Massachusetts law enforcement agencies to label specific administrative leave as "Critical Incident Leave" when an officer is suspended pending an investigation involving certain serious incidents. It directly affects law enforcement officers and agencies, mandating that records document this leave type when an officer: discharges a firearm causing injury/death, uses stun guns/chemical weapons causing injury/death, deploys a dog causing injury/death, uses deadly force, or engages in a physical altercation resulting in serious injury. The bill standardizes terminology - requiring all department records and public communications to use "Critical Incident Leave" instead of generic terms for these cases. It does not change leave policies or requirements, only the official labeling of this specific type of suspension.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates specific labeling of administrative leave for officers in serious incident investigations, enhancing law enforcement accountability and transparency - key criminal justice reform elements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 1706: An Act establishing a commission to review substance use in correctional facilities

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1706) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to establishing a commission to review substance use in correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to review substance use in correctional facilities, advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform by improving treatment programs within prisons.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2694: An Act to promote equitable access to parole

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2694) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa relative to access to parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes equitable parole access, directly advancing criminal justice reform by improving rehabilitation pathways and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1766: An Act to support police recruitment and retention

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1766) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to support police recruitment and retention. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly aims to strengthen law enforcement staffing through recruitment/retention support, directly advancing public safety within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 1654: An Act relative to postsecondary education in correctional facilities

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1654) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to postsecondary education in correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides postsecondary education in correctional facilities, directly advancing rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes postsecondary education programs in correctional facilities, expanding educational access for incarcerated individuals, directly advancing educational opportunity in higher education.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1660: An Act to promote rehabilitation including guaranteed health, treatment, and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ People

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1660) of Julian Cyr for legislation to promote rehabilitation including guaranteed health, treatment, and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ people. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly promotes rehabilitation, health, and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ people, advancing criminal justice reform through enhanced correctional care and civil rights protections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates guaranteed health and treatment services for incarcerated LGBTQI+ people, directly advancing healthcare access and patient rights for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2635: 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. 2635) of Russell E. Holmes and Erika Uyterhoeven 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 to address structural racism in corrections, advancing reform and accountability per commission recommendations.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2685: An Act to improve transparency and accountability in correctional facilities

By Representatives Rogers of Cambridge and Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2685) of David M. Rogers, Marjorie C. Decker and Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to the right of persons incarcerated in correctional institutions, state prisons, jails or houses of correction to confer with news media representative. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill grants incarcerated persons right to confer with media, enhancing transparency and accountability in correctional facilities - key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2706: An Act relative to postsecondary education in correctional facilities

By Representative Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2706) of Priscila S. Sousa relative to postsecondary education in correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides postsecondary education in correctional facilities to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides postsecondary education access in correctional facilities, expanding educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals, supporting higher education access.95% confidence

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