Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1789: An Act relative to profits from crime

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1789) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others for legislation to authorize the Division of Victim Compensation and Assistance to monitor profits from criminal activities of incarcerated persons. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill monitors profits from crime by incarcerated persons, aligning with criminal justice reform by preventing criminals from profiting and supporting victim compensation mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 1178: An Act to reduce mass incarceration

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1178) of Liz Miranda, James K. Hawkins and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to reduce mass incarceration. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly aims to reduce mass incarceration, directly advancing criminal justice reform by targeting systemic over-incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 27, 2026

S 1276: An Act relative to dangerousness hearings

S 1276 (An Act relative to dangerousness hearings) changes when prosecutors can seek pretrial detention based on public safety concerns. It specifies 15 categories of offenses triggering such hearings, including violent felonies, certain sex crimes involving children, domestic abuse violations, and repeat offenses like firearm violations or stalking. The bill requires courts to find "clear and convincing evidence" that no release conditions can ensure safety before ordering detention, and mandates an annual analysis by the Secretary of Public Safety to check for racial, gender, or ethnic disparities in how these cases are handled. This bill directly affects defendants charged with the listed offenses in Massachusetts courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires 'clear and convincing evidence' for pretrial detention, protecting defendant rights and reducing unnecessary incarceration per reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1084: An Act promoting fairness in parole

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1084) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to promote fairness in parole. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly promotes fairness in parole, directly advancing criminal justice reform by addressing equitable outcomes in correctional processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1065: An Act prohibiting deception in juvenile interrogations

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1065) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to ensure integrity in juvenile interrogations. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibiting deceptive juvenile interrogations protects minors' rights and promotes fairer proceedings, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1136: An Act preventing false confessions

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1136) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Joanne M. Comerford and Adam Gomez relative to preventing false confessions. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents wrongful convictions by addressing false confessions, aligning with civil rights protection and criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1979: An Act prohibiting deception in juvenile interrogations

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1979) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to prohibit the use of deception during juvenile custodial interrogations. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits deceptive juvenile interrogations, protecting civil rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability in criminal justice procedures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1847: An Act preventing false confessions

By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1847) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian relative to preventing false confessions. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreventing false confessions directly protects civil rights and addresses a key criminal justice reform issue by reducing wrongful convictions and enhancing accountability.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1128: An Act to implement recommendations of the commission on structural racism in the parole process

S 1128 implements specific recommendations from a commission that studied racial disparities in the parole process. The bill directly affects individuals navigating parole decisions within the state's criminal justice system. Key provisions require state parole boards to adopt new procedures and data collection methods to address identified racial biases. These changes aim to create a more equitable parole process by mandating transparency and accountability measures based on the commission's findings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses racial disparities in parole through new procedures/data collection, promoting equity in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1086: An Act relative to judicial oversight

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1086) of James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to judicial oversight of prisons housing. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes judicial oversight of prisons, enhancing accountability in corrections - a key criminal justice reform measure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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