Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 1720: An Act to build restorative family and community connection

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1720) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Mike Connolly, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to regulating visits in state prisons and correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRegulates prison visits to strengthen family/community connections, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1397: An Act establishing alternative models for behavioral health transport

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1397) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish five regional pilot programs to examine alternative models for transport of behavioral health patients. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates behavioral health transport pilots to divert individuals from criminal justice system, reducing incarceration for mental health crises per reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes regional pilot programs to improve behavioral health transport access, directly supporting mental health services under the topic's scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 2261: An Act ending the criminalization of homelessness

This bill prohibits cities and towns from enforcing fines or other penalties against homeless individuals solely for sleeping, camping, or trespassing on public property. It directly affects people experiencing homelessness, defined as those without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The key provision amends state law to ban local ordinances that criminalize these basic survival activities on public spaces. The bill specifically defines "camping" as using tents, vehicles, or temporary shelters, making it clear that such acts cannot be punished with fines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds criminal penalties for homelessness, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with reform goals to protect civil rights and reduce systemic inequities in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnds criminalization of homelessness, directly addressing housing access and protections for vulnerable populations per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

H 1913: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

HD 873 changes how courts handle probation for individuals with substance use disorders. It requires courts to assess whether someone on probation needs treatment instead of solely mandating drug testing. If treatment is ordered, courts must use licensed providers or evidence-based programs and cannot impose extra testing beyond the treatment plan. Crucially, a positive test or relapse during treatment is not considered a probation violation, shifting focus from punishment to supporting recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill redirects court focus from incarceration to treatment for substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill redirects court focus from incarceration to treatment for substance use disorders, advancing healthcare access for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1867: An Act relative to emerging adult life sentences for first-degree murder

This bill (HD 3279) changes sentencing for individuals aged 18-20 convicted of first-degree murder. It requires courts to set a minimum prison term (not life without parole) of 30-60 years for standard first-degree murder, 40-60 years for murders involving "extreme atrocity or cruelty," and 35-60 years for murders with "deliberately premeditated malice aforethought." The law directly affects young adults in this age group who receive life sentences for these specific murder convictions. It replaces automatic life sentences with defined minimum terms, giving courts structured sentencing options within these ranges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses sentencing for emerging adults in first-degree murder, likely reducing mandatory life sentences to promote rehabilitation and align with criminal justice reform trends.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1959: An Act establishing reasonable limitations on the solitary confinement of inmates 21 years of age or younger

This bill limits solitary confinement for inmates under 21 in Massachusetts correctional facilities. It prohibits keeping any inmate under 21 in isolation for more than 48 hours, except when they pose an immediate threat to safety, requiring a written report justifying continued confinement. Superintendents must document threats and can extend confinement by up to 24 additional hours only if evidence supports the ongoing risk. The bill does not change solitary confinement rules for inmates over 21, who may still be confined for up to 15 days. It directly affects young inmates in state prisons and local jails, aiming to restrict prolonged isolation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits solitary confinement for minors, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting youth inmates' rights and reducing harmful practices in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2069: An Act to end debt-based driving restrictions and remove economic roadblocks

HD 2069 prevents drivers from being prosecuted for operating a vehicle with a suspended license solely due to unpaid administrative fees or fines. It explicitly states that failure to pay these fees cannot be used as grounds for criminal charges. The bill also allows drivers to request a reduction or waiver of unpaid fees or fines based on financial hardship when renewing or reinstating their license. Additionally, it requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to send electronic notifications about unpaid assessments to help drivers avoid further penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminal prosecution for unpaid license fees, reducing economic barriers in criminal justice system and aligning with reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill removes financial barriers to driving by preventing license suspensions for unpaid fees, promoting access to transportation infrastructure and vehicle regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 1, 2025

H 63: Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to voting rights

HD 407 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove a provision that currently bars individuals incarcerated for felony convictions from voting. The bill would strike the exception from the state constitution, eliminating the specific language that denies voting rights to people in correctional facilities due to felony offenses. This change would directly affect thousands of incarcerated individuals across the state who are serving sentences for felonies but are otherwise eligible to vote. If approved, it would restore voting rights to these individuals while they remain incarcerated, without requiring them to complete their sentences first.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for incarcerated felons, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing post-incarceration barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 29, 2025

H 182: An Act to create cannabis career pathways to incarcerated individuals

This bill requires Massachusetts' Cannabis Control Commission to study and create pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals to work in the cannabis industry. Specifically, it mandates a study on training programs in correctional facilities and after release, with a report due by December 2024. The Commission must also develop a pilot program creating cannabis industry career pathways for this group by December 2025. The bill directly affects incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts, focusing on job training and employment opportunities within the legal cannabis sector.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes reentry by studying cannabis industry employment for formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism risk through rehabilitation pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 29, 2025

S 87: An Act delivering a fair share of cannabis revenue to communities harmed by the war on drugs

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 87) of Liz Miranda for legislation to increase the share of cannabis revenue to communities harmed by the war on drugs. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects cannabis tax revenue to communities harmed by drug policies, funding targeted initiatives through fiscal management of tax revenue.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly addresses historical harms from drug policies by allocating cannabis revenue to affected communities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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