Criminal Justice

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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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2071: An Act to implement recommendations of the commission on structural racism in the parole process

SD 2071 reforms the state's parole process to address structural racism, directly affecting incarcerated individuals, parole board members, and correctional facilities. The bill mandates that parole board members include at least one person with lived experience of incarceration who successfully completed parole, requires 3 members with mental health/substance use expertise, and prohibits parole conditions not tied to individual rehabilitation or public safety evidence. It also requires the parole board to collect and publish detailed data on parole outcomes by race, ethnicity, and gender, including violation types, revocation reasons, and processing times. Additionally, the bill mandates written records of parole decisions with clear instructions for denied applicants and public hearings 90 days before parole eligibility dates. These changes aim to increase transparency, accountability, and equity in parole decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReforms parole process to address structural racism, mandates lived experience and mental health expertise, prohibits non-evidence-based conditions - directly advances criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1740: An Act establishing an office of restorative justice

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2159) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation to establish an office of restorative justice within the executive office for administration and finance. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes restorative justice office, promoting reform and rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1788: An Act requiring clean slate automated record sealing

This bill automates the sealing of certain criminal records in Massachusetts, eliminating the need for individuals to file petitions. It requires correctional facilities to report release dates monthly to the probation commissioner, who then automatically seals eligible records after waiting periods (3 years for misdemeanors, 7 for felonies), excluding sex offenses, certain drug violations, and other specified crimes. The commissioner must seal records within 30 days of eligibility, provide clear notices to affected individuals at sentencing, and allow access to sealed records without court orders upon request. It directly affects people with past convictions who meet the waiting periods and criminal justice agencies responsible for record management.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates record sealing for eligible individuals, reducing barriers to employment/housing and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1630: 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 Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1725) of Liz Miranda, Russell E. Holmes, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to create 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 for correctional facilities to address structural racism, directly advancing criminal justice reform through enhanced accountability and equity measures.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2388: An Act strengthening synthetic drug laws in correctional facilities

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1753) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Michael O. Moore, Paul K. Frost, David T. Vieira and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit Class C synthetic chemical substance, or agent that has mind altering or mood changing effects in correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill strengthens punitive drug laws in prisons, expanding criminalization within corrections rather than advancing reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 297: 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 programs for incarcerated LGBTQI+ people, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like improved rehabilitation and civil rights protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGuarantees healthcare access and treatment for incarcerated LGBTQI+ individuals, directly advancing health services in correctional settings per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 671: An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2114) of Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael J. Barrett, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a jail and prison construction moratorium. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes jail/prison construction moratorium, directly limiting correctional infrastructure expansion. This aligns with criminal justice reform goals to reduce mass incarceration and promote alternatives, a clear support indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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