Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1020: An Act promoting fairness in parole

SD 1020 (An Act promoting fairness in parole) revises parole violation procedures in Massachusetts. It allows parole officers to issue temporary custody warrants for specific violations (like removing GPS trackers or contacting victims) with supervisor approval, and requires a parole board member’s review for other alleged violations. Parolees placed in temporary custody must have a preliminary hearing within 15 days to determine if the violation occurred, considering factors like the violation’s severity and public safety. The bill directly affects parolees facing revocation, parole officers, and the parole board by standardizing warrant processes and requiring timely hearings. It aims to create clearer, more consistent procedures for handling parole violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill revises parole procedures to ensure fairness, requiring timely hearings and board reviews, advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1033: An Act relative to GPS tampering

SD 1033 makes it a crime for individuals under court order to tamper with GPS tracking devices required as a condition of probation or pre-trial release. The bill prohibits intentionally damaging, removing, modifying, or deactivating such devices, or attempting to do so. Violators face penalties of up to five years in prison or two and a half years in a House of Correction. This directly affects people on probation or pre-trial release who are mandated to wear GPS monitors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for GPS tampering during probation/pre-trial release, expanding criminalization and strengthening supervision oversight rather than advancing reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1050: An Act to protect survivors of domestic violence

SD 1050 establishes a special commission to study Massachusetts' response to domestic violence and sexual assault victims, including analyzing current resources and probation systems. It creates specialized domestic violence probation units in courts, requiring each unit to include a dedicated victim advocate from a non-profit organization to serve as a liaison between survivors and probation officers. The bill mandates specialized training for probation officers handling these cases, requires them to monitor batterer's treatment program compliance, and updates procedures for reviewing protection orders to consider substance use recovery. These changes directly affect survivors of domestic violence, probation officers, and court staff handling these cases. The commission must report findings and recommendations by December 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes specialized domestic violence probation units with victim advocates and mandates officer training, enhancing victim-centered responses within criminal justice system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1683: An Act reforming juvenile offender law

This bill raises the age limit for certain juvenile court proceedings from 18 to 19 years old. It specifically affects juveniles aged 16-19 convicted of first or second-degree murder under Chapter 265, requiring courts to consider their maturity and rehabilitation for parole eligibility after serving minimum sentences (15 years for second-degree murder). The bill mandates separate housing in youthful offender units for under-18 inmates, prohibits limiting access to rehabilitation programs (like education or vocational training), and establishes new procedures for evaluating a juvenile's legal competence to stand trial. These changes apply to all murder cases involving juveniles under 19.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises juvenile court age limit, mandates rehabilitation consideration for parole, and prohibits restricting rehab access - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2678: An Act to ensure access to medical parole

This bill amends Massachusetts medical parole procedures to clarify eligibility and streamline the process. It redefines "permanent incapacitation" as irreversible physical/cognitive impairment and "terminal illness" as a condition likely causing death within 18 months. The bill requires correctional facilities to assess prisoners aged 55+ annually for cognitive decline, mandates medical documentation and violence risk assessments for parole petitions, and prioritizes community placement in a prisoner's home unless public safety risks exist. It directly affects incarcerated individuals with serious medical conditions who may qualify for release under these updated criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies medical parole eligibility, streamlines process, and prioritizes community placement to reduce unnecessary incarceration for terminally ill/incapacitated prisoners.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill streamlines medical parole access based on healthcare criteria (terminal illness/permanent incapacity), improving inmate access to medical services through mandated assessments and documentation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3242: An Act to implement recommendations of the Commission on structural racism in the parole process

This bill (HD 3242) changes Massachusetts parole board requirements to address racial disparities identified in the parole process. It mandates that at least 3 board members have specific professional experience (like mental health or substance use treatment), one must be a licensed mental health professional, and at least one member must have personal experience with incarceration and successfully completing parole. The bill requires the parole board to collect detailed demographic data on parole violations, revocations, and processing times by race, ethnicity, and gender, and to publish this annually. It also requires individualized parole conditions based on current research, detailed written decisions for all cases, and public hearings 90 days before parole eligibility dates. These changes directly affect the parole board, incarcerated individuals, and the Department of Correction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses racial disparities in parole through mandated diverse board expertise and demographic data collection, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2413: An Act to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1087) of James B. Eldridge, Brandy Fluker-Reid, Christopher J. Worrell, Joanne M. Comerford and others for legislation to abolish sentences of life without parole for individuals who committed crimes while they were considered minors or young adults. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill abolishes life without parole for minors/emerging adults, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting youth rights and reducing harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 783: An Act concerning the arrest without a warrant of persons on probation

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1781) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to paper warrants and persons on probation. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill allows warrantless arrest for probation violations, reducing defendant rights and expanding law enforcement authority without judicial oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 1707: An Act to ensure access to medical parole

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1707) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to remove barriers to medical parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to medical parole, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing unnecessary incarceration for medical reasons.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2638: An Act to reform parole

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2638) of Russell E. Holmes relative to parole board employees. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill titled 'An Act to reform parole' directly addresses parole, a core criminal justice component. 'Reform' implies positive change to improve system outcomes, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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