Criminal Justice

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

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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

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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

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1727: An Act relative to increasing racial diversity among judges in Massachusetts

By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1727) of Carlos González for legislation to establish a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to increasing racial diversity among judges. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes commission to increase judicial racial diversity, directly advancing criminal justice reform by promoting equitable representation in courts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 23, 2025

H 4633: An Act relative to restraining orders as they pertain to hate crimes

H 4633 amends Massachusetts law to strengthen protections for victims of hate crimes by clarifying definitions and increasing penalties. It redefines "harassment" to include repeated acts causing fear based on race, religion, gender identity, or other protected characteristics, and expands the definition of "immediate family" for hate crime protections to include close relatives like spouses and children. The bill also increases penalties for assault or battery motivated by bias, imposing fines up to $5,000 or up to 2.5 years in jail. These changes directly affect individuals targeted by bias-motivated violence and law enforcement handling such cases under Chapter 265, Section 39.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens hate crime protections by clarifying definitions, expanding victim coverage, and increasing penalties for bias-motivated assaults, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1987: An Act to establish a DNA exception rule for victims of rape

By Representatives Scanlon of North Attleborough and Kane of Shrewsbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1987) of Adam J. Scanlon, Hannah Kane and others relative to the statute of limitations for the crime of rape and establishing a DNA exception rule. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for rape via DNA exception, aiding victim access to justice and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1619: An Act relative to Trial Court data collection

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1619) of Tackey Chan and others relative to Trial Court age, gender and race data collection. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates collection of age/gender/race data in Trial Courts, enabling transparency and identification of disparities in criminal justice outcomes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1726: An Act relative to criminal disposition of limited psilocybin possession offenses

By Representative Gómez of Easthampton (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1726) of Henry Morgan relative to criminal disposition of limited psilocybin possession offenses. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession, aligning with drug reform efforts to decrease incarceration and prioritize diversion over punishment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1125: An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1125) of Adam Gomez for legislation to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modernizes victim/witness assistance board, enhancing victim support within criminal justice system per Judiciary committee focus. Aligns with reform indicators like improving victim services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1858: An Act relative to removing criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession

By Representative Lombardo of Billerica (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1858) of Timothy Morris relative to removing criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for psilocybin possession, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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