Criminal Justice in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2973: An Act relating to fair compensation for bilingual police officers

This bill establishes a state-funded program to provide pay incentives for police officers in Massachusetts cities and towns who speak languages commonly used by residents in their communities. It requires officers to meet a language proficiency standard (like the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy) as verified by their department chief. Local governments can offer these incentives, and the state will reimburse them 50% of the costs for qualifying officers, based on annual documentation submitted to the Municipal Police Training Committee. The program directly affects bilingual police officers and their local departments, aiming to recognize language skills that support community engagement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2730: An Act for balanced law enforcement representation to the POST Commission

This bill amends the composition of Massachusetts' POST Commission to ensure balanced law enforcement representation. It requires two new appointments: one active POST-certified officer (below captain rank) from a department with fewer than 50 officers, and another from a department with 50+ officers. The bill also specifies that any POST Commissioner representing a labor organization must be POST-certified, and limits police department representation to one person at a time. These changes directly affect how the POST Commission is structured and who can serve on it.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 2, 2025

SD 3248: Norfolk District Attorney -- 2025 Forfeiture Report

Report of the Norfolk District Attorney (pursuant to Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting its 2025 report relative to the use of monies in the law enforcement trust fund for the purposes of drug rehabilitation, drug education, and other anti-drug or neighborhood crime watch programs

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 2, 2025

SD 3239: Essex County District Attorney -- 2025 Forfeiture Report

Report of the Essex County District Attorney (pursuant to Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting its 2025 report relative to the use of monies in the law enforcement trust fund for the purposes of drug rehabilitation, drug education, and other anti-drug or neighborhood crime watch programs

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2772: An Act relative to probation officers

HD 563 amends Massachusetts law to include probation officers in a provision covering officers who suffer bodily injuries from violence while performing their duties. The bill inserts a specific reference to probation officers into the existing law, ensuring they qualify for the same workplace injury protections as other covered officers. This change directly affects probation officers by expanding their eligibility for benefits they were previously excluded from. The bill does not alter the benefits themselves but extends their application to probation officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 1337: An Act relative to opioid use disorder treatment and rehabilitation coverage

HD 2059 requires Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover medications for opioid use disorder (like naloxone and buprenorphine) without prior authorization, prescriptions, or cost-sharing (deductibles, copays). It directly affects Commonwealth employees (via group insurance), Medicaid patients, and private insurance holders in Massachusetts. The bill mandates coverage as both a medical benefit (when administered at treatment facilities) and pharmacy benefit, with facilities reimbursed at standard rates to prevent balance billing. It also specifies that cost-sharing may still apply if a plan would lose tax-exempt status under IRS rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2617: An Act further defining a hate crime

HD 3560 expands the legal definition of hate crimes to include attacks on police officers that cause serious injury or death. This amendment modifies existing law by adding the specific scenario of officer-targeted violence to the list of acts covered under hate crime statutes. The bill directly affects police officers who are victims of such attacks, as it would classify these incidents as hate crimes under the law. The change is purely definitional, adding this specific provision to the current legal framework without introducing new penalties or procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 2, 2025

SD 3250: Hampden District Attorney -- 2025 Forfeiture Report

Report of the Hampden District Attorney (pursuant to Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting its 2025 report relative to the use of monies in the law enforcement trust fund for the purposes of drug rehabilitation, drug education, and other anti-drug or neighborhood crime watch programs

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 4417: An Act updating the juvenile justice policy and data board

This bill (H 4417) modifies the membership structure of Massachusetts' Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board. It increases the board size from 21 to 23 members and adds a specific role for the executive director of the Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth (or a designee). The bill also revises membership requirements to include three individuals with direct juvenile justice experience: two parents whose children were in juvenile court and one adult who was subject to juvenile court as a child, all selected from specified advocacy organizations. These changes directly affect who serves on the board, aiming to incorporate broader lived experience and specialized perspectives into juvenile justice policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 10, 2025

H 2314: An Act establishing the Dukes County Sheriff’s regional lockup fund

HD 697 establishes a dedicated Dukes County Sheriff Regional Lockup Fund administered by the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office. The fund provides state-funded regional lockup services for all towns in Dukes County, allowing arrested individuals (with or without warrant, in protective custody, or under civil process) to be detained at a centralized facility. Key provisions include granting police officers full authority during transport to the lockup facility, exempting participating towns from certain Chapter 40 requirements, and ensuring fund balances do not revert to the General Fund. This bill directly affects Dukes County towns and their law enforcement operations by creating a centralized, state-funded detention system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

All criminal justice bills