Criminal Justice (Violent Crime) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1542: An Act enhancing protections for sexual violence survivors

This bill, HD 1542, enhances protections for sexual violence survivors by giving them control over their sexual assault evidence kits and restricting how law enforcement uses their DNA. It requires law enforcement to submit kits to a crime lab within 7 business days but allows survivors to choose whether their kit is tested or stored safely for the full statute of limitations period - without testing - even if they haven’t filed a police report. The bill also prohibits law enforcement from using a survivor’s DNA to prosecute them or comparing it to other DNA in databases, ensuring their DNA is only used for the specific incident being investigated. These changes directly affect survivors who provide evidence kits, prioritizing their autonomy and privacy in the criminal justice process.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 645: An Act relative to the age of consent in certain criminal prosecutions and civil actions for sexual assault and rape of a child

HD 645 updates Massachusetts law to address sexual abuse by employees or contractors in educational and child-serving settings. It creates new criminal penalties (up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fine) for staff who sexually abuse minors under 19 (or under 22 without a high school diploma/GED) served by schools, child services, or colleges. The law also establishes a civil lawsuit right for victims against such abusers, stating minors in these settings are legally deemed incapable of consent. These provisions apply specifically to individuals under 19 without a diploma/GED enrolled in or served by schools or colleges.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1168: An Act relative to domestic violence reports and confidentiality

This bill creates a 12-member task force to review Massachusetts laws on domestic violence and sexual assault reports and confidentiality. The task force includes officials from law enforcement, victim services, and survivors' advocates, plus appointed members from legislative leaders. It will assess current laws (including Chapter 41, Section 97D), identify gaps, and develop recommendations to protect survivors' confidentiality without shielding perpetrators. The task force must submit its final report to the legislature within 18 months of the bill's effective date. This is a procedural bill establishing a review process, not a direct policy change.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 370: An Act to require restitution for a child whose parent is killed by a drunk driver

This bill (HD 370) requires courts to order defendants convicted of vehicular homicide while intoxicated - resulting in a parent's death - to pay monthly restitution to the victim's surviving children. The payments cover support until the child turns 18 or graduates high school (whichever is later), with an extension to age 22 for those pursuing higher education. Courts determine the payment amount based on the child's needs, the defendant's financial ability, and other factors like the child's living situation and educational requirements. The restitution must be paid to the surviving parent or guardian, and defendants unable to pay while incarcerated must begin payments within one year of release.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 288: An Act ensuring domestic violence victims' protections for all employees in the Commonwealth

HD 288 creates new leave protections for contract workers (e.g., staffing agency employees) who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or kidnapping. It allows up to 15 days of unpaid leave per year for purposes like seeking medical care, legal help, court appearances, or securing housing related to the abuse. Employers must permit this leave but can decide if it’s paid, require documentation (such as a protective order or sworn statement from a professional), and must keep all related information confidential. The bill specifically excludes regular employees (covered under existing law) and requires contract workers to use other available leave first before taking this leave.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime Gig Economy Labor Standards Paid Leave

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1734: An Act relative to the definition of strangulation

This bill amends Massachusetts law to update the legal definition of "strangulation" in criminal statutes. It specifies that strangulation now includes intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly applying pressure to a person's throat or neck to impede breathing or blood circulation - regardless of whether visible injury occurs or if there was an intent to kill. The change removes previous requirements that such acts must cause visible injury or show intent to kill for prosecution. This definition directly affects how law enforcement and courts handle assault cases involving strangulation, particularly in domestic violence contexts. The amendment ensures broader legal coverage for non-fatal strangulation incidents that were previously harder to prosecute under the old definition.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2288: An Act establishing statewide standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers

HD 2288 creates a 19-member commission to establish statewide minimum service standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers, directly affecting organizations that receive state funding for victim support services. The commission will study current practices and recommend uniform standards covering training, policies, and quality improvements, which the executive office of health and human services must then implement. To qualify for state funds, providers must meet these standards, with a program improvement plan required after a first violation and a corrective action plan after subsequent violations. The bill mandates annual reporting on compliance and standards progress to state officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3228: An Act to stop mass shootings

HD 3228 bans the manufacturing of assault weapons and large capacity feeding devices within Massachusetts. It directly affects manufacturers operating in the state, with exceptions for licensed producers making these items solely for law enforcement, military, or approved foreign government use. The bill prohibits such manufacturing under Chapter 269 of the General Laws, imposing fines of $1,000-$1,000,000 or 1-10 years in prison for violations. This is a substantive policy change targeting firearm production, not a procedural measure.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1049: An Act relative to drug induced homicide

SD 1049 increases penalties for individuals trafficking Class A drugs who cause death, imposing up to life imprisonment. It also protects people seeking medical help for drug overdoses from prosecution. The bill creates a permanent commission to review drug-induced homicide convictions, ensuring no bias in charging/sentencing and promoting treatment options over mandatory minimums. The commission, composed of justice, law enforcement, and substance use experts, will report annually and make policy recommendations to state leaders. This bill directly affects drug traffickers causing deaths and overdose responders, with oversight focused on equitable application of the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime Substance Abuse

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1456: An Act relative to employment protections for victims of abusive behavior

SD 1456 adds "status as a victim of abusive behavior" to Massachusetts' anti-discrimination protections under Chapter 151B. It directly affects employees and job applicants experiencing domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or kidnapping (as defined in the bill). The law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations - like schedule changes, safety modifications, or transfer requests - to support victims, prohibits discrimination for requesting these accommodations, and mandates written notice of these rights to all employees. Employers must engage in a good-faith process to determine accommodations but are not required to provide them if it causes "undue hardship," defined by specific financial and operational factors.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence Violent Crime

All criminal justice bills