Criminal Justice

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1355: An Act relative to protecting domestic violence victims

This bill amends Massachusetts law to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims by altering the legal consequences for illegal entry into dwellings. It requires anyone who illegally enters a home (knowing people are present) to immediately retreat; failure to retreat forfeits their right to sue occupants for injuries. If minors are present during the illegal entry, the entrant faces a minimum 5-year prison sentence for conviction, and must retreat immediately. The bill also imposes severe penalties (20+ years or life imprisonment) for illegal entry involving weapons, force, or injury to occupants. These changes directly affect domestic violence victims and their homes by shifting legal responsibility to intruders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victim protections with mandatory retreat and stricter sentencing for illegal entry, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1772: An Act relative to implementing a blue alert system in the commonwealth

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1772) of Bruce E. Tarr and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation relative to implementing a blue alert system in the commonwealth. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBlue alert system protects law enforcement officers by enabling rapid public alerts during officer emergencies, strengthening law enforcement safety protocols within criminal justice infrastructure.92% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2857: An Act relative to court officers injured in service of the state

This bill updates compensation rules for court officers injured while performing their duties. It specifies that payments to injured officers under existing law must be treated as regular pay, paid at standard times and methods. Additionally, it creates a new provision holding individuals who intentionally or negligently injure court officers liable for costs exceeding the compensation paid - such as expenses for temporary replacements. The bill directly affects injured court officers and those who cause their injuries, clarifying both compensation treatment and potential financial liability for the injuring party.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects court officers (a component of criminal justice system) by providing support for service-related injuries, aligning with system protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2707: An Act relative to furthering the success of opiate intervention programs

HD 2284 amends Massachusetts law to allow state and municipal law enforcement, EMTs, paramedics, and fire personnel to provide opioid antagonists (like naloxone) and administration instructions to individuals at substantial risk of opioid overdose, or to their family/friends who know about the person's opioid use. It directly affects first responders and people at risk of opioid overdose by expanding access to life-saving medication. Key provisions permit these personnel to act in "good faith" based on their training, observations, and the individual's own information. The bill does not require prior consent or medical oversight for this intervention. This policy change aims to increase immediate access to overdose reversal tools during emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides immunity for first responders distributing opioid antagonists to reverse overdoses, promoting harm reduction and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides immunity for first responders administering opioid antagonists (naloxone), directly advancing overdose intervention programs and improving emergency healthcare access for opioid users.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1758: An Act banning the use of tear gas against civilians

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1758) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to band the use of tear gas against civilians. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBanning tear gas against civilians directly enhances police accountability and protects civil rights, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like reducing excessive force.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2720: An Act related to public safety and police evidence review

HD 1086 requires all law enforcement departments to provide necessary resources - such as training or technology - to help officers accurately state facts related to evidence. This applies directly to police departments and overrides any conflicting existing laws. The bill’s key mechanism mandates that departments allocate these resources to ensure officer statements about evidence are precise and reliable. It directly affects law enforcement agencies by requiring them to adjust resource allocation practices to meet this standard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement resources for officer statement accuracy, implying enhanced police accountability within criminal justice system procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2721: An Act to establish privileged contact with members of the general court

This bill (HD 2897) creates a legal privilege for communications between Massachusetts legislators (members of the House or Senate) and people incarcerated in state or county correctional facilities, including prisons, jails, and houses of correction. It prohibits correctional facilities from monitoring or recording these communications and allows incarcerated individuals to refuse disclosure of such confidential conversations. The privilege applies to in-person, voice, video, or electronic communications, but does not cover communications related to ongoing crimes or fraud. This directly affects incarcerated individuals and legislators by protecting the confidentiality of their interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables incarcerated individuals to directly contact legislature, potentially facilitating reform through inmate advocacy within correctional system.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1607: An Act protecting bank employees and customers

This bill strengthens penalties for crimes against banks and credit unions. It imposes a minimum 5-year prison sentence for armed robbery at banks or credit unions (with a 15-year minimum for repeat offenses), and a 30-month minimum for attempted robbery. The law explicitly includes "attempted robbery" of these institutions in the definition of criminal robbery. These changes directly affect bank/credit union employees, customers, and anyone committing such crimes, by increasing sentencing severity for offenses targeting financial institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill specifies punishment for bank robbery, increasing penalties, matching 'oppose' indicator of increased mandatory sentences.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 419: An Act creating a school resource officer grant program and fund

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 419) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to create a school resource officer grant program and fund. Education.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds school resource officers (law enforcement in schools), directly supporting law enforcement presence under criminal justice topic.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a grant program/fund for school resource officers under Education, directly allocating resources to enhance school safety infrastructure within K-12 education context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 9, 2025

S 1061: An Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for youths

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1061) of Brendan P. Crighton, Cynthia Stone Creem, Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote public safety and better outcomes for young adults. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly targets 'better outcomes for young adults' in Judiciary context, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like rehabilitation focus and reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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