Criminal Justice in Massachusetts

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

HD 5758: An Act to promote healing for the families of homicide victims

By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Carlos González relative to police departments coordinating with the families of homicide victims with quarterly reports on the open investigations related to their family member. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

HD 5743: A report of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association (under Section 29D of Chapter 272 of the General Laws) on the age, gender identity and race of persons diverted or arraigned with the assistance of Massachusetts District Attorneys for calendar year 2025

This bill requires the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association to submit a report detailing demographic data about individuals diverted or arraigned with their assistance during calendar year 2025. The report will document the age, gender identity, and race of these individuals to provide transparency about how district attorneys handle cases involving different populations. The legislation directly affects district attorneys and the public by mandating the collection and filing of specific demographic information without altering current diversion or arraignment procedures. This is an informational measure that does not change existing laws or create new legal requirements for criminal justice processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 5316: An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment

This Massachusetts bill restricts civil immigration enforcement activities in nonpublic areas of state facilities unless required by law or necessary for federally funded programs. It requires the governor to create multilingual guidelines for state agencies, private organizations, law enforcement, and schools on how to handle immigration-related interactions, including verifying officer credentials and warrants. The legislation also mandates that correctional facilities provide detained individuals with written notices about their legal rights in their primary language. These provisions apply to a wide range of entities including police departments, universities, hospitals, and private organizations that employ ten or more people or receive state funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 6, 2025

HD 96: A communication from the Hate Crimes Task Force (see Section 221(e) of Chapter 6 of the General Laws) addressing the mission of the task force, targeted objectives, options, recommended actions and metrics to measure the effect of such recommendations on hate crimes for calendar year 2024

This bill requires the Hate Crimes Task Force to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing its mission, objectives, recommended actions, and metrics for measuring the impact of its recommendations on hate crimes in 2024. The report must include data on hate crime incidents, the effectiveness of prevention strategies, and the performance of the 24/7 multilingual confidential reporting center that connects callers to resources and case support. By mandating this documentation, the bill aims to increase transparency and accountability for the task force's work in addressing hate crimes across the state. The legislation directly affects the Hate Crimes Task Force and its ability to track and respond to hate crime trends through structured reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 2991: An Act to safeguard civil rights and civil liberties

Senate, March 23, 2026 -- The committee on The Judiciary to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1064) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to restore enforcement of civil rights, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2991).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Tags Civil Liberties

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5274: An Act relative to establishing protections for and ensuring access to harm reduction programming and services in the commonwealth

This bill establishes legal protections and access for harm reduction programs and services throughout the commonwealth, primarily affecting health organizations, service providers, and individuals involved in substance use support. It creates a new legal definition for harm reduction programs, which can include needle exchanges, distribution of opioid antagonists, drug testing services, and referrals to treatment, and requires these programs to be approved by the state department and local health boards. The legislation grants immunity from criminal prosecution, civil liability, and professional disciplinary action to program operators and participants acting in good faith, while excluding cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or discriminatory behavior. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting on program activities and data collection to track outcomes, and clarifies that entering or using a harm reduction program cannot be used as grounds for law enforcement searches or seizures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5275: An Act reducing emergency department boarding

This bill amends existing mental health laws to protect individuals held in emergency departments who are being restrained while awaiting psychiatric evaluations. It requires facilities not authorized to perform evaluations to inform patients and their guardians about their right to voluntary admission and limits restraint to a maximum of 72 hours. If a person is held longer than 48 hours at such a facility, they must be told they can request a lawyer, and the state will appoint one if needed. The bill also allows individuals to request an emergency court hearing within one business day if they believe the restraint was improper. These changes directly affect patients, their families, and mental health facilities across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5293: An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment ("The PROTECT Act")

This bill establishes new requirements for state correctional facilities to provide detained individuals with written notices of their legal rights, including access to counsel and confidential communication procedures. It mandates that facilities maintain updated records of detained individuals within six hours of intake or transfer and provide verified phone lines for attorneys to contact their clients. The legislation also restricts law enforcement officers from inquiring about immigration status unless it is directly material to a specific criminal investigation and prohibits state agencies from using resources for federal civil immigration enforcement. Additionally, the bill prevents most local law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements that deputize them to perform civil immigration enforcement functions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 18, 2026

H 5289: An Act authorizing the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in the town of Norwood

This bill allows the town of Norwood to hire retired police officers as special police officers to assist with local law enforcement duties. To qualify, the retired officers must have served as regular police officers in Massachusetts and retired in good standing due to age or service. The bill requires these special officers to maintain their certification and complete all mandatory training and continuing education requirements set by state standards. This change gives the town more flexibility in staffing its police force while ensuring all personnel meet established professional standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5305: An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment

This Massachusetts bill expands protections for people regardless of immigration status by limiting civil immigration enforcement activities within state facilities and requiring clear guidelines for interactions with law enforcement. The legislation allows the governor to restrict immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state buildings and mandates that correctional facilities provide detained individuals with written notices about their legal rights in their primary language. Additionally, the bill requires facilities to ensure confidential attorney-client communications and maintain detailed records of immigration-related detentions. State agencies and private organizations must also follow multilingual guidelines on how to verify law enforcement authority and document immigration enforcement interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

All criminal justice bills