Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 269: An act relative to gift card tampering

This bill (SD 269) creates new criminal offenses related to gift card fraud in Massachusetts. It defines key terms like "gift card redemption information" and specifies that unauthorized possession, alteration, or use of gift cards obtained illegally (e.g., stolen or tampered cards) is illegal. Specifically, it makes it a crime to steal gift card details (larceny), alter cards (forgery), or use stolen cards to obtain over $1,200 in value within six months (felony larceny). The law directly affects cardholders (who may lose funds), card issuers (who issue cards), and gift card sellers (who sell them), by imposing criminal penalties for these specific acts of fraud.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses for gift card fraud, expanding criminalization in the justice system per explicit language on larceny, forgery, and felony charges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 770: An Act to stop profiling transgender people and low-income women

This bill amends Massachusetts law to create legal immunity for individuals reporting crimes. It adds a new provision (Section 34B) stating that people reporting crimes cannot be prosecuted for minor offenses like drug possession or sex work if those offenses were discovered while reporting the crime. The bill removes outdated language about "common night walkers" and "street walkers" from existing statutes and repeals another section. It directly affects people who might hesitate to report crimes due to fear of being charged for unrelated minor violations. The key change is the protection for crime reporters from prosecution for specific minor offenses linked to their report.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates immunity for crime reporters to prevent prosecution for minor offenses, reducing barriers to reporting and protecting vulnerable groups from discriminatory profiling.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2059: An Act relative to opioid use disorder treatment and rehabilitation coverage

HD 2059 requires Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover medications for opioid use disorder (like naloxone and buprenorphine) without prior authorization, prescriptions, or cost-sharing (deductibles, copays). It directly affects Commonwealth employees (via group insurance), Medicaid patients, and private insurance holders in Massachusetts. The bill mandates coverage as both a medical benefit (when administered at treatment facilities) and pharmacy benefit, with facilities reimbursed at standard rates to prevent balance billing. It also specifies that cost-sharing may still apply if a plan would lose tax-exempt status under IRS rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates opioid treatment coverage as rehabilitation, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing recidivism through accessible medical care.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for opioid treatment without cost-sharing, expanding access to critical care and aligning with healthcare access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 257: An Act to stop profiling transgender people and low-income women

SD 257 removes outdated and discriminatory language from state law that previously targeted transgender people and low-income women, specifically by deleting references to "common night walkers" and "common street walkers" in Chapter 272. It repeals Section 62 of Chapter 272, which likely enabled profiling practices. The bill adds Section 34B to Chapter 94C, protecting individuals who report crimes from being prosecuted for minor offenses like drug possession or sex work if those offenses were discovered while reporting the crime. This directly affects transgender people and low-income women who face disproportionate policing under the old provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves discriminatory profiling language and protects vulnerable groups from prosecution for minor offenses when reporting crimes, advancing civil rights and reducing biased law enforcement practices in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves discriminatory language targeting transgender people, reducing barriers to healthcare access and protecting patient rights per bill's focus on ending profiling in legal provisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1443: An Act delivering a fair share of cannabis revenue to communities harmed by the war on drugs

This bill redirects 12% of annual cannabis tax revenue to support communities disproportionately harmed by drug enforcement policies. Specifically, it allocates 10% to a community reinvestment grant program for municipalities facing high poverty rates, racial disparities, or significant impacts from the criminal justice system, funding job training, small business development, and mental health services. Another 5% supports municipal equity funds, while 5% aids the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity program to increase participation by historically marginalized groups in the legal cannabis industry. The bill also mandates minimum annual grants to three specific organizations ($250,000 to The EON Foundation, $500,000 to the Coalition for an Equitable Economy, and $500,000 to Mass CultivatED) for technical assistance and business support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects cannabis tax revenue (12%) to fund community programs including job training and mental health services, directly allocating tax funds to public service initiatives.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects cannabis revenue to communities harmed by drug enforcement policies, funding job training and mental health services to address systemic inequities in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 10% of cannabis revenue to mental health services via community reinvestment program, directly funding healthcare access95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3539: An Act known as "Drug Test Consent Bill" aka "Christina's Law"

HD 3539 amends Massachusetts DUI laws to explicitly include impairment from any drug that affects driving ability, not just alcohol or marijuana. It requires drivers arrested for DUI to consent to chemical tests (breath, urine, or blood), with specific protections: blood tests can only be drawn by medical professionals at a treatment facility, and drivers with certain medical conditions (like hemophilia) cannot be forced to provide blood. Refusing a test results in an automatic 180-day license suspension, but evidence of refusal cannot be used against the driver in court. The bill also establishes that a blood alcohol level of 5/100ths or lower creates a legal inference the driver was not impaired, while drivers under 21 face stricter penalties at 2/100ths or higher.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds drug impairment to DUI laws with defendant protections (medical exemptions, medical professional blood draws), aligning with civil rights in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2177: An Act relative to the expungement of convictions for marijuana possession

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1161) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the expungement of convictions for marijuana possession. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpungement of marijuana possession convictions reduces barriers to employment/housing, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and protect civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2312: An Act relative to setting proportionate penalties for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1233) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to set proportionate penalties for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks proportionate penalties for drug distribution, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to avoid excessive sentencing rather than increasing penalties or restricting rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4212: An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment

This bill (HD 4212) creates legal protections for harm reduction programs aimed at reducing overdose deaths and improving access to treatment. It defines "harm reduction programs" to include services like needle exchanges, overdose reversal, and referrals to treatment, and grants immunity from arrest, lawsuits, and property seizures for program operators, participants, and property owners when operating under department approval. The law also prohibits searches based on program use, requires annual department reports on program effectiveness, and exempts approved programs from certain registration requirements under Chapter 94C. It directly affects program operators, people accessing services, property owners, and government employees involved in approvals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects harm reduction programs from legal penalties, reducing criminalization of drug use and advancing criminal justice reform through treatment access and immunity protections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill legalizes harm reduction services (needle exchanges, overdose reversal) to improve treatment access, directly expanding healthcare access and protecting patient services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2707: An Act relative to furthering the success of opiate intervention programs

By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2707) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida relative to immunity from prosecution for certain first responders for providing or transferring opioid antagonists to certain persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides immunity for first responders distributing opioid antagonists to reverse overdoses, promoting harm reduction and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides immunity for first responders administering opioid antagonists (naloxone), directly advancing overdose intervention programs and improving emergency healthcare access for opioid users.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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