Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 30, 2025

H 3422: An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium

By Representative Tyler of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3422) of Chynah Tyler and others relative to establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill halts new jail/prison construction, reducing system expansion and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to decrease incarceration rates.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 1, 2025

H 4673: An Act protecting first responders and enhancing access to behavioral health centers

This bill (H 4673) shields licensed law enforcement officers, EMTs, ambulance services, and other emergency medical personnel from legal claims or penalties when they transport individuals to community behavioral health centers in good faith. It directly affects first responders and behavioral health centers by removing liability concerns during these transports. The key provision creates legal immunity for "good faith" actions or inactions related to such transports, as defined in existing law. This change aims to encourage timely access to mental health care without fear of lawsuits for responders acting appropriately.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves liability for first responders transporting individuals to behavioral health centers, reducing unnecessary criminal justice involvement and aligning with reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes legal liability for first responders transporting to behavioral health centers, directly enhancing access to mental health services per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 13, 2026

S 1681: An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1681) of James B. Eldridge, Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Robyn K. Kennedy and other members of the Senate for legislation to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly protects civil rights, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like police accountability and rights protection in public safety context.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill protects civil rights and safety for all Massachusetts residents, implicitly supporting immigrant rights protections by ensuring equal safety and rights for all residents including immigrants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

H 1597: An Act limiting the use of prison labor

By Representative Cabral of New Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1597) of Antonio F. D. Cabral relative to the use of prison labor outside of the Commonwealth. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits prison labor use, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect inmate rights and reduce exploitation in corrections systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1651: An Act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1651) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to rehabilitation, re-entry, and human rights for incarcerated persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly focuses on rehabilitation, re-entry, and human rights for incarcerated persons, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2054: An Act to end mandatory life without the possibility of parole for the age of 21-25 and 364 days

By Representative Worrell of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2054) of Christopher J. Worrell for legislation to end mandatory life without the possibility of parole for certain young adults. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ends mandatory life without parole for young adults (21-25), reducing harsh sentencing and promoting rehabilitation, a core criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 10, 2026

S 1247: An Act criminalizing sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1247) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to criminalize sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCriminalizes sexual assault by rideshare operators, protecting passenger safety and reinforcing legal accountability within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1062: An Act to stop profiling transgender people and low-income women

S 1062, introduced by Senator Julian Cyr, aims to prohibit discriminatory profiling of transgender individuals and low-income women by law enforcement or public agencies. The bill's title indicates it targets practices that unfairly target these groups based on gender identity or socioeconomic status. However, the provided context does not include specific mechanisms, such as new enforcement procedures or penalties. For detailed policy changes, the full bill text would be required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discriminatory law enforcement profiling based on gender identity/socioeconomic status, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 1126: An Act relative to combating hate in the Commonwealth

The bill S 1126, titled "An Act relative to combating hate in the Commonwealth," is a petition by Senator Adam Gomez and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell seeking legislation to address hate crimes. The official abstract does not provide specific policy details or mechanisms, only stating the bill's general purpose. Without further information on provisions, such as penalties, reporting requirements, or affected groups, a substantive summary of its concrete changes cannot be provided. The Judiciary Committee is listed as the relevant committee, but the abstract lacks specifics on who would be directly affected or how the bill would operate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets hate crimes, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing bias-motivated offenses and protecting civil rights through legislative action.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1728: An Act relative to penalties for crimes against seniors

This bill (H 1728) proposes increasing penalties for certain crimes committed against seniors in Massachusetts. It would raise the severity of sentencing for offenses like assault, theft, or fraud targeting individuals aged 65 or older. The key provision requires courts to impose harsher punishments, such as longer jail terms or higher fines, for these specific crimes. This directly affects seniors who are vulnerable to such crimes and the criminal justice system responsible for sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for crimes against seniors, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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