Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2634: An Act relative to sexual assault by an officer

By Representative Higgins of Leominster, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2634) of Natalie M. Higgins and others relative to indecent assault and battery committed by law enforcement officers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets sexual assault by law enforcement officers, enhancing police accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 1722: An Act relative to elder and medical parole

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1722) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Adam Gomez and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to grant elder and medical parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill proposes elder/medical parole for non-threatening inmates, reducing prison populations and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like compassionate release and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 23, 2025

H 4636: An Act to advance hate-crime protections for victims who are targeted due to their gender

This bill would expand hate crime protections by adding "gender" to the list of protected characteristics in Massachusetts law. It directly affects victims targeted due to their gender by ensuring such attacks are classified as hate crimes under existing law. The key mechanism is a simple amendment to Chapter 265, Section 39, inserting "sex" after "national origin" in the legal definition. This change would allow prosecutors to pursue enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by bias against someone's gender.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands hate crime protections by adding gender to protected characteristics, enhancing legal safeguards for victims and promoting civil rights within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1773: An Act creating the ability of police officers to demand FID, LTC or proof of exempt status

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1773) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create the ability of police officers to demand FID, LTC or proof of exempt status. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill grants police authority to demand FID/LTC proof, expanding enforcement powers without reform focus, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2000: An Act establishing statewide standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers

By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2000) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to statewide standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishing statewide standards for sexual assault/domestic violence service providers improves victim support and service quality within the criminal justice system, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 9, 2025

S 1145: An Act relative to the definition of strangulation

S 1145, introduced by Senator Robyn Kennedy, proposes a legal definition for the term "strangulation" in Massachusetts law. This bill would directly affect criminal cases involving assault or domestic violence by establishing a clear standard for what constitutes strangulation in court proceedings. The legislation aims to standardize legal interpretation without changing existing penalties or sentencing guidelines. It is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStandardizes legal definition for strangulation in criminal/domestic violence cases, ensuring consistent court application of existing law without altering penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1852: An Act prohibiting discrimination against adults with disabilities in Family and Juvenile Court proceedings

By Representative Livingstone of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1852) of Jay D. Livingstone and Joanne M. Comerford relative to adults with disabilities in family and juvenile court proceedings. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits discrimination against adults with disabilities in family/juvenile court proceedings, protecting civil rights and promoting fair treatment in court systems central to criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Juvenile Justice

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 8, 2025

H 2632: An Act relative to lawfully owed DNA

By Representatives Higgins of Leominster and Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2632) of Natalie M. Higgins, Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others that the crime laboratory within the Department of the State Police conduct an audit of offender DNA profiles included on the state DNA databank system. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAudits DNA databank accuracy to prevent wrongful convictions, supporting system integrity and civil rights in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1961: An Act relative to life without parole

By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1961) of David M. Rogers relative to life sentences without eligibility for parole. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets life sentences without parole eligibility, aiming to reform sentencing by potentially allowing parole consideration, reducing mandatory harsh sentences per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 4610: An Act to study the decriminalization of sex work

This bill creates a 23-member interagency commission to study the potential decriminalization of sex work in Massachusetts. The commission includes health officials, advocates for sex workers and transgender rights, anti-trafficking organizations, and current/former sex workers. It will examine criminal penalties, needed labor protections, health services, trafficking prevention strategies, and public health approaches to safety in the sex work sector. The commission must submit a report with recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2026, but the bill itself does not change current laws. This is a study measure, not a law that decriminalizes sex work.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill studies decriminalization of sex work, reducing criminal penalties and promoting public health approaches - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly examines 'needed labor protections' for sex workers, addressing workplace safety and rights in a sector with significant employment challenges.85% confidence

Track