Criminal Justice

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

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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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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 23, 2025

H 1675: An Act to advance hate-crime protections for victims who are targeted due to their gender

By Representative DuBois of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1675) of Michelle M. DuBois relative to hate-crime protections for victims targeted due to gender. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly advances hate-crime protections for gender-based victims, strengthening civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 1386: An Act to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1386) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge and Sally P. Kerans for legislation to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital from Corrections to Mental Health prioritizes treatment over incarceration for mental health cases, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital to the Department of Mental Health directly strengthens mental health service coordination and oversight, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2592: An Act authorizing the voluntary disavowal of eligibility to purchase a firearm

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2592) of Marjorie C. Decker that the commissioner of Criminal Justice Services be authorized to establish a list of persons who disavow eligibility to purchase firearms. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill authorizes voluntary firearm disavowal under Criminal Justice Services to enhance public safety, aligning with reform-focused prevention measures in criminal justice policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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