Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1670: An Act relative to GPS tampering

This bill makes it a crime for individuals under court-ordered GPS monitoring to intentionally damage, remove, modify, or deactivate their tracking device. It directly affects people on probation or pre-trial release who are required to wear such devices as a condition of their supervision. Violators face up to five years in prison or 2.5 years in a House of Correction. The law specifically targets tampering with GPS monitors used in criminal justice supervision.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for GPS tampering (up to 5 years), aligning with restrictive sentencing indicators rather than reform-focused measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1781: An Act concerning the arrest without a warrant of persons on probation

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1781) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to paper warrants and persons on probation. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows warrantless arrests for probationers, reducing judicial oversight and expanding enforcement powers without court approval, contradicting reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2172: An Act establishing a mandatory sentence for destruction, defacement or damage to burial tombs and grave markers

HD 2172 establishes a mandatory minimum 6-month prison sentence for anyone convicted of damaging or defacing burial tombs or grave markers. It directly affects individuals who vandalize cemetery sites, imposing strict sentencing requirements with no possibility of probation, parole, or sentence reduction below six months. The bill also requires fines of at least $1,000 and mandates that prosecutions proceed without delay or dismissal. These provisions aim to strengthen penalties for crimes targeting burial sites, ensuring consistent and severe consequences for offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory 6-month sentence with no parole increases punitive measures, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1639: An Act to enhance safety and security in courthouses

HD 1639 strengthens penalties for violence and threats against courthouse personnel and proceedings in Massachusetts. It increases maximum penalties for assaulting courthouse property during sessions (up to 3 years in state prison or $25,000 fine), disrupting court sessions (up to 3 years in prison or $5,000 fine), and threatening judges or court staff (up to 3 years in prison or $5,000 fine). The bill directly affects court staff, including judges, clerks, probation officers, and interpreters, by raising legal consequences for threats or violence related to their official duties. These changes amend existing laws in Chapters 265, 268, and 275 of the Massachusetts General Laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for courthouse violence (up to 3 years/prison), aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enhances workplace safety protections for courthouse staff (judges, clerks, etc.) by increasing penalties for violence/threats against them, directly aligning with workplace safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3996: An Act relative to violent crimes

This bill amends Massachusetts law to establish specific sentencing requirements for juveniles under 14 convicted of murder. It sets a 20-year minimum sentence with parole eligibility after 15 years for first-degree murder committed before age 14, and a 15-year minimum with parole after 10 years for second-degree murder. The bill clarifies that such cases must be handled in juvenile court or through indictment, and specifies that juvenile murder convictions trigger these minimum sentences. It directly affects minors under 14 who commit murder, changing their sentencing from standard juvenile penalties to these fixed minimum terms. The key mechanism is the creation of mandatory minimum sentences for juvenile murder offenders under 14.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum sentences for juvenile murder convictions, restricting judicial discretion and opposing criminal justice reform efforts to reduce harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1547: An Act relative to fentanyl arrests (Tatiana's Law)

This bill (HD 1547, "Tatiana's Law") requires a 6-hour minimum hold before bail can be set for individuals arrested for fentanyl trafficking (specifically violations of Chapter 94C sections 32, 32E, or 32F). It directly affects adults (18+) arrested for these offenses, preventing release by clerks, bail commissioners, or others and mandating that only a judge in open court can grant bail within that timeframe. The law also requires bail authorities to access criminal records, probation files, and police reports before setting release conditions to ensure court appearance and community safety. These changes apply specifically to fentanyl-related trafficking charges, not general drug offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 6-hour hold before bail for fentanyl trafficking, restricting defendant release options and increasing enforcement stringency per Chapter 94C violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Policing Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3330: An Act concerning the arrest without a warrant of persons on probation and temporary custody

This bill (HD 3330) allows probation officers to arrest individuals on probation without a court warrant if they violate probation conditions. It directly affects probationers and probation officers, expanding the latter's authority to handle violations. Key provisions require probation officers to notify district attorneys and allow them to present evidence at hearings if the violation involves a felony. The bill also outlines procedures for inmates in correctional facilities to apply for court review of probation violations, including specific documentation they must provide. These changes streamline how probation violations are processed while adding safeguards for felony-related cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands probation officers' arrest authority without warrant for violations, increasing enforcement power over probationers without reform elements or rehabilitation focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3270: An Act relative to capital punishment for the murder of law enforcement officers

HD 3270 creates a new capital murder charge for intentionally killing a law enforcement officer (including police, sheriffs, deputies, or correction officers) while they are performing their duties, or causing their death through serious bodily injury, reckless violence, or intentional acts with a grave risk of death. The punishment for this offense is either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, with no possibility of parole. The bill also modifies sentencing procedures, requiring a presentence hearing where a jury weighs specific aggravating circumstances (like the victim being an officer on duty) and mitigating factors to decide between death or life without parole. This law directly affects defendants convicted of murdering a law enforcement officer under these defined circumstances.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates death penalty or life without parole for killing officers, increasing severity of sentencing per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3522: An Act relative to corrections officer safety

This bill strengthens penalties for assaulting corrections officers and Department of Corrections staff while they're performing their duties. It mandates a minimum 1-year prison sentence (not less than 1 year) for anyone causing serious bodily injury to these workers through assault, with fines ranging from $500 to $10,000. The law prohibits probation, parole, sentence reductions, or early release until the mandatory minimum term is served, and defines "serious bodily injury" as permanent disfigurement, loss of bodily function, or substantial risk of death. The bill directly affects corrections officers (who gain enhanced legal protection) and individuals convicted of such assaults (who face stricter sentencing).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 1-year minimum sentence for assaults on corrections staff, prohibits probation/early release, increasing punitive measures per indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates minimum sentences for assaulting corrections officers, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for this workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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