Criminal Justice

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 27, 2026

H 4858: An Act to update expungement

This bill (H 4858) updates Massachusetts expungement law by restricting access to sealed or expunged criminal records. It prohibits anyone from making these records available for inspection, including by employers or background check services, unless the information is used solely for statistical or research purposes without identifying individuals. The bill directly affects people whose records have been sealed under sections 100A, 100B, or 100C, or expunged under sections 100F, 100G, 100H, or 100K. Key changes include broadening restrictions to cover all expungement categories and clarifying that research data must not reveal personal identities. The bill is currently pending in the House committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts access to sealed records, reducing employment barriers for individuals with expunged convictions - a key criminal justice reform measure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SD 3607: An Act protecting access to justice

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Lydia Edwards, Patricia D. Jehlen, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect access to justice. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly protects 'access to justice' (a key criminal justice reform indicator), aligning with civil rights protection and fair court access within the Judiciary subject area.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4999: An Act to protect victims of stalking in violation of harassment prevention orders

This bill requires law enforcement to notify victims when harassment prevention orders (for stalking or harassment) are served, not served, or expire. It directly affects victims of stalking who have these court orders by ensuring they receive timely updates about the order's status. Key provisions mandate that police inform victims within 12 hours if an order isn't served, then every 24 hours until service is complete, and also notify them if the order expires. The law applies to both temporary and permanent orders under Chapters 209A and 258E of Massachusetts law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims via mandatory law enforcement notifications on stalking order status, enhancing victim safety and court order enforcement in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4986: An Act relative to therapeutic psilocybin treatment centers

H 4986 establishes a 5-site pilot program for non-profit therapeutic psilocybin centers in specific Massachusetts regions (western, central, North Shore, South Shore, and Metro Boston). Licensed centers, operated by trained medical professionals, must provide supervised treatment in safe facilities with qualified staff, adhere to safety protocols, and maintain affordable pricing. The bill protects participants, staff, and facility owners from criminal charges or penalties for lawful participation in licensed centers. It requires the Department of Public Health to report annually on program data, including participant visits, referrals, and safety outcomes, for review by legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill decriminalizes therapeutic psilocybin use by shielding participants/staff from criminal penalties, reducing unnecessary criminalization in line with reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes regulated mental health treatment centers using psilocybin, expanding access to novel therapeutic services under healthcare framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 31, 2025

S 2874: An Act to increase opportunity by ending debt-based driving restrictions

Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Transportation to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2368) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, David Paul Linsky, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to end debt-based driving restrictions and remove economic roadblocks, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2874).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds debt-based driving restrictions, reducing economic barriers in criminal justice system and promoting opportunity through reform95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnds debt-based driving restrictions, removing economic barriers to transportation access, advancing equitable mobility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Driver Licensing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 4857: An Act regarding conditions of release in Superior Court

This bill amends Massachusetts Superior Court release procedures to give judges new authority during pretrial release decisions. It directly affects defendants awaiting trial who face charges involving alleged victims or witnesses. The key change adds language allowing judges to order defendants to avoid all contact with alleged victims and potential witnesses as a condition of release. This provision aims to protect victims and witnesses during the pretrial phase without altering who is eligible for release. The bill does not change existing release standards but expands judicial options for safety measures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill adds conditions to protect victims/witnesses during pretrial, enhancing safety without altering eligibility. Aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and improving court procedures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 4861: An Act relative to community corrections

H 4861 establishes an Office of Community Justice Programs within the Department of Probation to oversee statewide community-based alternatives to incarceration. It creates three specific program types: "intensive supervision with treatment" (for higher-risk individuals on probation), "pretrial services" (for defendants awaiting trial), and "reentry services" (for people recently released from prison), all requiring court approval or consent. The bill sets standards for program contracts, mandates victim notification for pretrial services, and prohibits using these programs to replace mandatory minimum prison sentences. This directly affects probationers, pretrial defendants, and people returning from incarceration who qualify for these community-based options.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates community-based alternatives to incarceration with treatment-focused programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5610: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for responding to recent federal actions

This bill primarily allocates funding for Massachusetts state operations in fiscal year 2026, including $12.3 million for indigent legal services and $300 million for group health insurance. It also includes significant policy changes: it removes a citizenship application requirement for financial assistance programs and adds privacy protections for applicant information. Most notably, Section 5 creates new rules for child care settings, requiring law enforcement to obtain a judicial warrant before entering licensed child care centers, family child care homes, or school-aged programs for immigration enforcement. These rules mandate that staff verify warrants, obtain director approval before allowing entry, and limit access to areas without children. The policy directly affects child care providers and law enforcement interactions within these facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $12.3M for indigent legal services and $300M for group health insurance, directly funding public services through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $12.3M for indigent legal services, directly supporting defendants' access to counsel in criminal cases.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $300M for group health insurance, removes citizenship barriers for financial assistance, and adds privacy protections - expanding access and strengthening coverage.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves citizenship requirement for financial assistance and adds privacy protections, increasing immigrant access to state services while limiting data sharing with federal enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly adds privacy protections for applicant information, directly advancing data privacy - a core component of technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Insurance Citizenship & Naturalization Enforcement

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 4860: An Act relative to safety and justice

This bill (H 4860) creates a new compensation system for people wrongfully convicted of felonies in Massachusetts. It lowers the required proof standard from "clear and convincing" to "preponderance of the evidence" to qualify for compensation under Chapter 258D, and expands eligible compensation to include educational services, financial literacy training, and waived tuition at public colleges. The bill also mandates courts to expunge or seal criminal records related to the wrongful conviction after a successful claim, while limiting total damages based on incarceration length (e.g., up to $1 million for 10 years of incarceration). It directly affects individuals exonerated after being convicted of felonies, providing both financial compensation and record-clearing mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLowers proof standard for wrongful conviction compensation, expands support services, and mandates record expungement - directly advancing criminal justice reform through accountability and rehabilitation.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands compensation to include waived tuition at public colleges and educational services, directly advancing educational access for wrongfully convicted individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Higher Education

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4996: An Act relative to the punishment of organized retail crimes

This bill (H 4996) amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for organized retail crimes. It adds a specific sentencing option allowing courts to impose up to 2.5 years in a house of correction for certain retail theft offenses, updating two sections of the criminal code (Chapter 266, Section 30D and Chapter 218, Section 26). The change directly affects individuals convicted of organized retail theft, providing judges with a new sentencing tool. The bill focuses on modifying existing criminal penalties rather than creating new programs or policies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for retail theft with 2.5-year house of correction sentencing, directly expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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