Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

This bill (H 4645, now Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2025) increases penalties for assaulting public transit workers while they are on duty. It makes it a crime to commit assault and battery - including using bodily substances like blood or saliva - against a transit worker performing their job, punishable by 90 days to 2.5 years in jail or fines of $500 to $5,000. The law specifically defines "bodily substance" to include human secretions such as saliva, urine, or feces. It directly affects transit workers by strengthening legal protections during their work. The bill was enacted in late 2025 after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor’s signature.

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.

By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven George Xiarhos and others relative to penalties for assault and battery on a police officer. The Judiciary.

This bill (H 1728) proposes increasing penalties for certain crimes committed against seniors in Massachusetts. It would raise the severity of sentencing for offenses like assault, theft, or fraud targeting individuals aged 65 or older. The key provision requires courts to impose harsher punishments, such as longer jail terms or higher fines, for these specific crimes. This directly affects seniors who are vulnerable to such crimes and the criminal justice system responsible for sentencing.