Criminal Justice

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 · 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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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2604: An Act to ensure access to medical parole

This bill amends Massachusetts medical parole procedures to clarify eligibility and streamline the process. It redefines "permanent incapacitation" as irreversible physical/cognitive impairment and "terminal illness" as a condition likely causing death within 18 months. The bill requires correctional facilities to assess prisoners aged 55+ annually for cognitive decline, mandates medical documentation and violence risk assessments for parole petitions, and prioritizes community placement in a prisoner's home unless public safety risks exist. It directly affects incarcerated individuals with serious medical conditions who may qualify for release under these updated criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures medical parole access, reducing unnecessary incarceration for terminally ill inmates - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators like protecting rights and humane treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2228: An Act providing appropriate care for certain populations

This bill creates standardized "forensic units" within certain facilities to provide specialized care for specific patient populations. It defines these units as physically separate areas with incarceration-like restrictions, specialized staff training, and appropriate environments. The law mandates that individuals admitted under certain legal or medical conditions (specified in existing sections of the law) must initially be placed in these forensic units upon facility admission. The bill directly affects patients meeting those admission criteria and the facilities responsible for their care. These changes aim to establish consistent care protocols for vulnerable populations within the state's healthcare system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates forensic units in hospitals for mental health/substance use care, diverting individuals from criminal justice system and supporting rehabilitation, aligning with reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates forensic units for mental health/substance use recovery, directly advancing specialized care services in healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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