Criminal Justice (Policing)

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 8, 2025

H 2632: An Act relative to lawfully owed DNA

By Representatives Higgins of Leominster and Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2632) of Natalie M. Higgins, Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others that the crime laboratory within the Department of the State Police conduct an audit of offender DNA profiles included on the state DNA databank system. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAudits DNA databank accuracy to prevent wrongful convictions, supporting system integrity and civil rights in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5294: An Act exempting the positions of police lieutenant and police sergeant in the city of Leominster from the civil service law

This bill exempts police lieutenant and sergeant positions in the City of Leominster from Massachusetts' civil service law requirements. It directly affects Leominster police officers holding these specific ranks by removing them from standard civil service hiring and promotion processes. The key provision is a simple legislative change to exempt these roles from Chapter 31 of General Laws, effective upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExempts police lieutenant/sergeant roles from civil service, reducing merit-based oversight and accountability in law enforcement hiring/promotions.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts police ranks from civil service protections, removing standard hiring/promotion safeguards under Chapter 31 of General Laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Public Employees

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2585: An Act relative to police chief reform and improvement – certification act

By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2585) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon relative to police chief reform, improvement and certification. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill focuses on police chief reform and certification, enhancing accountability standards in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 4177: An Act exempting certain positions of the police department in the town of Lancaster from the civil service law

By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton and Senator Cronin, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4177) of Meghan K. Kilcoyne and John J. Cronin (by vote of the town) that the town of Lancaster be authorized to exempt certain positions of the police department in said town from the civil service law. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExempting police positions from civil service law weakens standard hiring oversight, aligning with 'weakens oversight of law enforcement' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 1663: An Act relative to the sex offender registry

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1663) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to the sex offender registry for employees of municipal police or fire departments. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends sex offender registry to police/fire employees, enhancing accountability in law enforcement - a key criminal justice reform component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 3655: An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder

By Representatives Domb of Amherst and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3655) of Mindy Domb and Sean Garballey that the Registry of Motor Vehicles design certain envelopes to enhance effective communications and interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder. Transportation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police interactions with autistic individuals, promoting safer encounters and civil rights protection in law enforcement interactions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 1741: An Act relative to police interactions with persons on the autism spectrum

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1741) of Michael O. Moore, James K. Hawkins, Steven S. Howitt, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training for autism spectrum interactions, reducing potential misuse of force and enhancing accountability in law enforcement encounters, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

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

By Representative Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2973) of Priscila S. Sousa relative to compensation for bilingual police officers. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCompensation for bilingual police officers supports law enforcement effectiveness within criminal justice system, aligning with reform-focused indicators.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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signed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2565: An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder

Senate, July 24, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder (Senate, No. 2565) (being the text of Senate No. 2558, printed as amended)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates police training for autism interactions, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement encounters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

passed both · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2348: An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2348) of Joanne M. Comerford, Michael D. Brady, James B. Eldridge, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation to use blue envelopes to facilitate better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder. Transportation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill aims to improve police interactions with autistic individuals via blue envelopes, reducing potential conflicts and enhancing officer training - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of protecting vulnerable populations and improving law e...85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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