Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3349: An Act to return DOC and Parole to Health and Human Services

By Representative Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3349) of Russell E. Holmes for legislation to transfer jurisdiction of the Department of Correction and the Parole Board from the Executive Office of Public Safety to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransfers DOC/Parole to Health & Human Services, aligning with rehabilitative approaches over punitive corrections management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1051: An Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1051) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to judicial supervision to promote child well-being. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes juvenile diversion to community services, reducing incarceration and aligning with reform goals like rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 543: An Act to promote equitable access to parole

This bill (HD 543) reforms Massachusetts parole procedures to improve fairness and access. It requires the parole board to include at least four members with mental health/substance use experience (including one licensed professional) and one formerly incarcerated person with relevant expertise. The bill expands parole eligibility for life sentence holders (excluding certain murder cases), mandates public hearings 90 days before eligibility, and requires the board to reconsider cases every three years if parole is denied. It also adds transparency by requiring hearing recordings to be public for life sentences, ensuring prisoners access to information provided to the board, and directing the board to prioritize risk assessments, program participation, and community reentry plans when making decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands parole eligibility for life sentence holders, mandates mental health expertise on parole board, and requires public hearings - advancing equitable criminal justice reform by improving access and fairness in corrections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates parole board inclusion of mental health professionals and substance use experts, directly supporting mental health integration in justice system processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1073: An Act regarding probation violations

This bill (HD 1073) amends Massachusetts law regarding probation revocations for certain sentences. It directly affects individuals on probation who violate terms and were originally sentenced to a house of correction (not state prison). The key change gives courts discretion to impose only a portion of a suspended sentence upon revocation (instead of the full term), with the remaining suspended time automatically reduced by the time served during the revocation period. Courts must also adjust probation conditions if they impose less than the full suspended sentence. This clarifies and expands judicial flexibility in sentencing for probation violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces mandatory probation revocation sentences by allowing partial imposition and automatic time reduction, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to limit unnecessary incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1052: An Act related to indigency

HD 1052 updates Massachusetts' definition of "indigent" for court purposes, affecting individuals seeking fee waivers or legal aid in court proceedings. It adds three clear criteria: receiving specific public benefits, having income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines, or being unable to pay court costs without sacrificing basic needs like food or shelter (excluding inmates who haven't followed required procedures). The bill also requires courts to order financial reassessments when indigency status is in doubt, with probation officers filing written reports. Finally, it mandates quarterly reports to legislative committees tracking indigency determinations, misrepresentations, and procedural effectiveness by court division.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates indigency criteria to expand access to court fee waivers and legal aid, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of equitable access to courts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1032: An Act strengthening GPS tampering Laws

SD 1032 strengthens GPS tampering laws by making it a felony to remove or destroy a GPS tracking device without judicial approval or a demonstrated need to prevent greater harm. This law directly affects individuals under court supervision (such as those on probation or parole) who use GPS tracking devices. The key provision imposes a mandatory minimum 2-year prison sentence for unauthorized tampering. The change specifically targets willful interference with tracking systems, not accidental damage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes mandatory 2-year sentence for GPS tampering, increasing penalties for supervision violations, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization and mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1757: An Act to return DOC and Parole to Health and Human Services

HD 1757 creates a special commission to study transferring Massachusetts' Department of Correction (DOC) and Parole Board from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The bill cites historical context (DOC was under Health and Human Services before 1991), current issues like 70% of DOC's budget going to labor instead of rehabilitation programs, and reports of unmet mental health care standards. The commission will examine legal implications, potential impacts on services and recidivism, fiscal effects, and practices in other states. It must hold public hearings and submit a report with recommendations by December 2026, but the bill itself does not enact the transfer - it only authorizes the study.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill highlights DOC budget inefficiency (70% to labor vs rehab) and seeks reallocation toward mental health/services via commission, promoting fiscal responsibility in spending.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill cites DOC's underfunded rehabilitation programs (70% budget to labor) and unmet mental health standards, proposing transfer to Health Services to prioritize reform - aligns with support indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses unmet mental health care standards in DOC by proposing transfer to Health and Human Services to improve care, directly linking correctional mental health to healthcare oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1048: An Act establishing a domestic violence and sexual assault probation unit

SD 1048 establishes a specialized domestic violence and sexual assault probation unit within Massachusetts court probation departments. The unit requires each court to employ a victim advocate (from an external nonprofit) to support victims who filed complaints under Chapter 209A, handle their complaints against probation officers, and provide information about their rights and case details. It also mandates that probation officers assigned exclusively to these cases complete specialized training on domestic violence and sexual assault, and requires offenders to maintain certified batterer’s treatment programs as a condition of probation. The bill directly affects victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, probation officers handling such cases, and offenders subject to Chapter 209A orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specialized probation unit with victim advocates and training to improve handling of domestic violence cases, enhancing victim support and system accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3164: An Act to establish the micro business employee training and workforce development program

HD 3164 creates a tax credit for Massachusetts employers with 10 or fewer employees who hire formerly incarcerated individuals (within 5 years of release) or people receiving transitional assistance under Chapter 18. Employers receive a $2,000 annual tax credit per eligible hire, plus phased training funds ranging from $15,000 to $9,000 over five years. The program is funded by dedicating 15% of several existing state justice and reentry program budgets to a new trust fund. It directly affects small Massachusetts businesses and supports job placement for two specific vulnerable groups. The credit is available for 10 years if the employee remains employed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $2,000 annual tax credit for small employers hiring vulnerable workers, directly reducing tax burden via existing budget reallocation. Aligns with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides tax credits for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism through employment support, funded by justice program budgets.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates tax credits and training funds to hire formerly incarcerated and transitional assistance recipients, advancing employment opportunities for marginalized workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3136: An Act relative to penalties for crimes against seniors

This bill requires individuals convicted of certain crimes against seniors (defined as elders or those in senior housing) to register annually with the office of probation for five years. The registration includes detailed personal information like addresses, physical description, and a photograph. Failure to comply carries penalties of up to 2.5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The law directly affects convicted offenders of specified crimes against seniors, establishing a mandatory registry for their monitoring.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory registration and increased penalties for offenders against seniors expands criminalization and increases sentencing requirements, contradicting reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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