Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1999: An Act establishing a permanent commission to study the service standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers

By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1999) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida for legislation to establish a permanent commission (including members of the General Court) to study the service standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to study service standards for sexual assault/domestic violence providers, aiming to improve victim services within criminal justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3294: An Act addressing compensation rates for bar advocates

This bill sets new hourly compensation rates for attorneys representing indigent clients in Massachusetts. It establishes specific rates: $150 for homicide cases, $105 for non-homicide superior court cases, $73 for district court cases, and $90 for family law, children's, mental health, and sex offender registry cases. The rates must be reviewed every three years through public hearings involving bar associations and interested groups. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to all attorneys appointed under the private counsel division of the committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets fairer compensation for indigent defense attorneys in criminal cases, improving access to quality legal representation - a key component of criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1816: An Act protecting survivors of rape and their children

This bill prohibits courts from granting visitation or custody rights to parents convicted of specific sexual assault crimes (including rape) when the child was conceived during the crime, the victim was pregnant at the time, or the child is a victim or witness. Exceptions allow such rights only if a court determines it is in the child's best interests and the mother affirmatively consents. The bill clarifies that failure to convict does not disprove the crime occurred, but it does not affect a perpetrator's obligation to pay child support or the child's right to inherit from them. It applies to multiple family court statutes covering custody, visitation, and related proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims by preventing convicted sexual assault offenders from gaining custody rights, aligning with criminal justice reform priorities for victim safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2682: An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker

This bill (HD 2682) amends Massachusetts law to expand protections for transit workers against assault and battery. It explicitly adds "public transit worker" to the list of protected employees under Section 13D of Chapter 265, and defines "assault and battery" to include attacks using bodily substances like blood, saliva, or urine. The law now treats such assaults as more severe offenses, with specific legal definitions clarifying what constitutes a "bodily substance." This directly affects transit workers by making assaults against them a distinct criminal violation under state law. The changes provide clearer legal grounds for prosecuting attacks on transit staff using bodily substances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands protections for transit workers by defining assault with bodily substances as more severe offense, strengthening criminal justice enforcement.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands legal protections for transit workers against assault, directly enhancing workplace safety standards for a specific labor group.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands legal protections for transit workers, directly enhancing safety in public transportation systems per bill's focus on assault/battery definitions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Public Transit

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3999: An Act to assist the investigation of serious crimes

HD 3999 amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions used in criminal investigations. It redefines "transmitted communication" to explicitly include modern digital communications (like smartphone texts, data, and images) while excluding tone-only pagers and financial transaction data. The bill also expands the list of "designated offenses" to include homicide, violent crimes, drug violations, firearm crimes, and human trafficking, along with accessories and conspirators. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies investigating these specific serious crimes under the updated legal framework.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies digital communication definitions and expands designated offenses for serious crimes, enhancing law enforcement investigative capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Human Trafficking Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 704: An Act relative to improving sexual violence survivor protections

SD 704, titled "An Act relative to improving sexual violence survivor protections," directly affects sexual assault survivors by strengthening their control over evidence and privacy. The bill requires law enforcement to submit sexual assault evidence kits to crime labs within 7 business days (or store them safely for the full time allowed by law) and gives survivors the choice to have kits tested or stored. It also prohibits law enforcement from using survivors' DNA for any purpose beyond the specific incident, banning comparisons to other crime scene DNA or inclusion in databases. These changes aim to protect survivors' autonomy and privacy throughout the legal process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens survivor rights in criminal justice by requiring evidence protocols and prohibiting DNA misuse beyond case context, advancing civil rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1367: An Act relative to sexual assaults by adults in positions of authority or trust

This bill (SD 1367) strengthens penalties for sexual assaults by adults in positions of trust involving children. It specifically targets individuals like teachers, coaches, child care providers, foster parents, or family members with custody who commit indecent assault or abuse against children under 18. For children under 14, offenders face life imprisonment or a minimum 10-year sentence with no parole or early release; for children aged 14-17, penalties include up to 10 years in prison. The law explicitly states children under 18 cannot consent and bars defenses claiming the trusted role ended. Prosecutions under this law cannot be dismissed without a finding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for sexual assaults by trusted adults, directly advancing criminal justice protections for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1376: An Act amending the statute of limitations regarding criminal prosecutions for the crimes of sexual assault and rape of a child

SD 1376 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual assault and rape cases involving child victims. It allows prosecutors to file charges at any time after the crime occurred, provided the victim was under 18 when the offense happened. The law specifically applies to "indecent assault and battery" and "rape" charges under Chapter 277 of the General Laws. This change ensures these crimes can be prosecuted regardless of when the victim reports the incident or comes forward.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for child sexual assault/rape prosecutions, enabling justice regardless of time elapsed, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4170: An Act providing for the allowance of early evidence kits

HD 4170 establishes rules for handling sexual assault evidence kits, directly affecting victims of sexual assault, hospitals, law enforcement, and crime labs. The bill requires hospitals to inform victims their evidence will be kept for at least 15 years and prohibits destruction before conviction completion, suspect death, or statute of limitations expiration. It mandates crime labs to test kits within 30 days of receipt and requires law enforcement to notify victims 60 days before destroying evidence or extend retention upon request. The law also creates specific guidelines for "Early Evidence Kits" (professional DNA collection when traditional exams aren't possible), including labeling requirements and victim access to test results.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates 15-year evidence preservation, 30-day testing timelines, and victim notifications for sexual assault kits. Ensures evidence availability for justice, aligns with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and evidence integrity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1894: An Act relative to employment protections for victims of abusive behavior

This bill adds "status as a victim of abusive behavior" to Massachusetts' anti-discrimination protections in employment. It directly affects employees and job applicants experiencing domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or kidnapping (as defined in the bill), requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations like schedule changes, safety modifications, or workplace access adjustments. Employers must engage in a good-faith interactive process to find suitable accommodations and cannot discriminate against someone who requests them. The law also mandates written notice of these rights to all employees and new hires, and requires the state commission to develop educational materials about these protections within 180 days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects civil rights of abuse victims through employment accommodations, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim support and rights.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds anti-discrimination protection for abuse victims, requiring employer accommodations to enhance workplace safety and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence Violent Crime Employment Discrimination

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