Criminal Justice (Policing) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4175: An Act establishing a peace officer oath

This bill (HD 4175) requires all Massachusetts peace officers - including agency heads, special police, sheriff's deputies, constables, and reserve officers - to swear an ethical oath upon certification and recertification. The oath mandates specific pledges, such as prioritizing community well-being, using force only when necessary, protecting civil liberties without discrimination, providing medical aid when needed, and reporting misconduct. The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission must develop the oath language, integrate it into training and evaluations, and report annually on its effectiveness to the Legislature. The policy directly affects all certified peace officers and aims to enhance public trust through standardized ethical commitments.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 534: An Act to create equitable approaches to public health

This bill creates a state grant program administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to fund community-based organizations that provide non-law-enforcement responses to certain 911 calls and non-emergency situations. It directly affects local governments, community organizations, and residents by supporting alternatives to police involvement for mental health crises, violence prevention, and social service referrals. Key provisions include requiring competitive grants for partnerships between local governments and community groups, mandating evaluation of outcomes like reduced police calls and improved service access, and prohibiting grant funds from going to law enforcement agencies. The program also requires community stakeholder boards and detailed application requirements focused on service planning, community engagement, and data collection.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Policing Public Health

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3323: An Act relative to civil rights

HD 3323 amends Massachusetts civil rights laws to change the requirements for suing law enforcement officers under color of law. It removes the need for plaintiffs to prove "threats, intimidation, or coercion" when alleging interference with constitutional rights, making it easier to file such lawsuits. The bill also requires courts to issue written findings on whether alleged officer conduct interfered with federally or state-secured rights when granting immunity. This directly affects civil rights plaintiffs bringing cases against police officers and the courts handling those cases. The changes apply to cases under Sections 11H and 11I of Chapter 12 of the General Laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 52: 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 Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3816: An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents

HD 3816, the "Safe Communities Act," prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from asking about immigration status during routine interactions (except when legally required) and restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It requires written consent with clear explanations in multiple languages before DHS interviews of people in custody, and bans automatic notifications to DHS about individuals' release from custody (except for end-of-sentence releases). The law also prohibits police from acting as immigration officers under federal agreements and mandates training for law enforcement on these provisions. These changes directly affect all Massachusetts residents, especially immigrant communities, and apply to state/local police, sheriffs, and correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 23, 2025

H 4640: An Act to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology

This bill restricts most law enforcement use of facial recognition technology in Massachusetts. It prohibits police agencies from acquiring or using facial recognition without specific legal authorization, except for limited exceptions like verifying identities for driver's licenses or investigating felonies with a warrant. The law requires strict documentation for emergency uses, mandates transparency by requiring law enforcement to share all technical details about facial recognition searches with defendants in criminal cases, and establishes public reporting requirements for all searches conducted. These provisions directly affect law enforcement agencies, public officials, and individuals involved in criminal cases where facial recognition was used.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Policing Emerging Technology

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3286: An Act to improve transparency in alleged police misconduct

This bill amends procedures for inquests (investigative hearings) into deaths or serious injuries involving law enforcement officers. It requires the attorney general or district attorney to hold an inquest when there's reasonable suspicion an officer violated laws while acting in their duties, causing serious bodily injury (defined under Chapter 265). The bill mandates timely notice to families and specific agencies, allows targets of investigations to attend with counsel, and ensures families and complainants can observe the process. It focuses on procedural transparency during investigations, not on changing police conduct standards or accountability outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3596: An Act relative to immigration detention and collaboration agreements

This bill prohibits Massachusetts state and local government agencies (including police departments, sheriff's offices, and correctional facilities) from entering new agreements with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement or detention. It also requires all existing agreements of this type to end within 30 days (for enforcement agreements) or 90 days (for detention agreements) after the law takes effect. The Attorney General can enforce the law by seeking court orders to stop violations. The bill directly affects how Massachusetts law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities regarding detention and enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Policing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1872: An Act to improve transparency in alleged police misconduct

By Representative Markey of Dartmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1872) of Christopher M. Markey relative to alleged police misconduct. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 486: An Act for the Youth Court Justice Fund

HD 486 establishes a Youth Court Justice Fund that allocates 34% of forfeiture proceeds from certain cases (like drug and property crimes) to support youth-focused programs. At least 50% of these funds must directly support Youth Courts - defined as non-profit or public programs using restorative justice for first-time juvenile offenders - and the fund also requires 33% for prosecutors and 33% for police departments involved in seizures. The bill mandates annual reports detailing fund distribution to state committees and local police, ensuring transparency in how these monies are spent on juvenile diversion initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

All criminal justice bills