Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · Senate May 14, 2026

S 1282: An Act relative to repeat violent firearm offenders

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1282) of John C. Velis and Adam Gomez for legislation relative to repeat violent firearm offenders. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill targets repeat violent firearm offenders with likely harsher penalties, increasing mandatory sentences which opposes criminal justice reform initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 15, 2025

HD 5223: An Act relative to penalties for assault and battery on a police officer

By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven George Xiarhos and others relative to penalties for assault and battery on a police officer. The Judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assault on police officers, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator under 'oppose' stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · Massachusetts · House May 20, 2026

H 4637: An Act relative to civil rights and technology

This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, or operation of robotic devices (like drones) equipped with weapons (e.g., guns, lasers, explosives), with penalties including mandatory minimum prison sentences. It also bans using robots to threaten, harass, or physically restrain people. Key exemptions include military/defense uses (Department of Defense, National Guard, defense contractors under specific waivers) and law enforcement actions for bomb disposal, property destruction in emergencies, or training. The bill requires law enforcement to obtain warrants for robot deployments on private property or for surveillance, document all uses quarterly, and report publicly. It also allows civil lawsuits for violations and mandates public reporting of law enforcement robot usage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentences for weaponized robot offenses, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits weaponized robotic devices (drones with weapons), restricting dangerous tech applications. Exemptions for military/law enforcement don't negate core restriction on civilian use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 294: An Act relative to illegal drug and firearm trafficking

This bill (HD 294) imposes stricter penalties for individuals convicted of both opioid/heroin trafficking and firearm trafficking. It mandates a potential life sentence in state prison plus a $500,000 fine for those found guilty of both offenses under specified sections of Massachusetts law. The bill also prohibits prosecutors from dismissing or delaying such cases and bars convicted individuals from early release options like furlough or sentence reductions for good behavior. This directly affects people convicted of combined drug and firearm trafficking, creating a mandatory maximum penalty with no leniency for good conduct.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life sentences and fines for drug/firearm trafficking, bars early release, and restricts prosecutorial discretion - increasing penalties and reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1032: An Act strengthening GPS tampering Laws

SD 1032 strengthens GPS tampering laws by making it a felony to remove or destroy a GPS tracking device without judicial approval or a demonstrated need to prevent greater harm. This law directly affects individuals under court supervision (such as those on probation or parole) who use GPS tracking devices. The key provision imposes a mandatory minimum 2-year prison sentence for unauthorized tampering. The change specifically targets willful interference with tracking systems, not accidental damage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes mandatory 2-year sentence for GPS tampering, increasing penalties for supervision violations, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization and mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1638: An Act relative to the penalty for disorderly persons

This bill amends Massachusetts law to change penalties for disorderly conduct. It adds a potential jail term of up to 30 days in a jail or house of correction as an option for courts, alongside or instead of the existing $150 fine. The change directly affects individuals charged with disorderly conduct offenses in Massachusetts. The key provision modifies the penalty structure under Chapter 272, Section 53, by expanding sentencing options for judges.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds jail option (up to 30 days) for disorderly conduct, expanding penalties beyond existing fine, increasing criminalization and severity of sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2760: An Act relative to the qualification of voters

HD 2760 amends voter qualification laws to disqualify individuals convicted of specific serious crimes. It adds that a person convicted of violations under Chapter 265 sections 13, 13b, 13b½, 16, or 24 (which include violent offenses punishable by life imprisonment) cannot vote. The bill directly affects voters with convictions for these particular crimes. This change expands the list of disqualifying offenses under existing voting laws. The key mechanism is adding these specific criminal sections to the list of convictions that prevent voting eligibility.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands disenfranchisement by restricting voting rights for violent offenders, opposing criminal justice reform trends that seek to restore voting rights post-conviction.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3136: An Act relative to penalties for crimes against seniors

This bill requires individuals convicted of certain crimes against seniors (defined as elders or those in senior housing) to register annually with the office of probation for five years. The registration includes detailed personal information like addresses, physical description, and a photograph. Failure to comply carries penalties of up to 2.5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The law directly affects convicted offenders of specified crimes against seniors, establishing a mandatory registry for their monitoring.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory registration and increased penalties for offenders against seniors expands criminalization and increases sentencing requirements, contradicting reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3332: An Act relative to the punishment of organized retail crimes

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand sentencing options for organized retail theft crimes. It adds a new alternative sentence of up to 2.5 years in a house of correction (a local facility for less severe offenses) alongside existing state prison terms for certain offenses under Chapter 266, Section 30D. Specifically, it modifies punishments for crimes involving theft of $1,000+ from retail stores (or similar organized thefts) by inserting the house of correction option after the current prison terms. The change applies to individuals convicted under these specific retail crime provisions. It does not create new crimes but alters the available penalties for existing offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds stricter sentencing option (house of correction) for retail theft, expanding criminalization without reform measures or reduced penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3478: An Act to enhance public safety

HD 3478 requires Massachusetts local and state law enforcement agencies (like police departments and sheriff's offices) to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immigration detainers. This means agencies must hold individuals for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release to allow ICE to take custody, share immigration status information upon request, and participate in joint ICE operations when feasible. The bill mandates annual reporting on detainer compliance and includes exceptions for constitutional rights or lack of probable cause for criminal charges. It also requires the state to provide training and resources to support law enforcement in meeting these requirements. The law applies directly to all local and state law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement cooperation with ICE detainers, expanding immigration enforcement into criminal justice, reducing due process and community trust.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state law enforcement to comply with ICE detainers, share immigration status, and participate in joint operations, increasing state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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