Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1693: An Act to remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence

By Representative Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1693) of Brandy Fluker-Reid and others for legislation to remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves collateral consequences and protects presumption of innocence, advancing criminal justice reform by reducing reentry barriers and safeguarding defendant rights.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 4064: An Act to safeguard judicial integrity through enhanced witness protection

By Representative Boldyga of Southwick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4064) of Nicholas A. Boldyga relative to witness protection and intimidation. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances witness protection to safeguard judicial integrity, directly supporting fair criminal trials and court operations within criminal justice system.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 1958: An Act establishing the micro business employee training and workforce development program

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1958) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to establish a tax incentive program for micro businesses to hire formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals receiving transitional benefits. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax incentive program for micro businesses, providing tax relief as fiscal policy tool to fund workforce development.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill incentivizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, directly reducing recidivism through workforce integration and rehabilitation support.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax incentives for hiring formerly incarcerated and transitional benefits recipients directly expands employment opportunities, aligning with labor & employment support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Workforce Development

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 23, 2025

H 4640: An Act to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology

This bill restricts most law enforcement use of facial recognition technology in Massachusetts. It prohibits police agencies from acquiring or using facial recognition without specific legal authorization, except for limited exceptions like verifying identities for driver's licenses or investigating felonies with a warrant. The law requires strict documentation for emergency uses, mandates transparency by requiring law enforcement to share all technical details about facial recognition searches with defendants in criminal cases, and establishes public reporting requirements for all searches conducted. These provisions directly affect law enforcement agencies, public officials, and individuals involved in criminal cases where facial recognition was used.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police facial recognition use, requiring warrants and transparency to protect civil rights and enhance law enforcement accountability in criminal justice.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts law enforcement use of facial recognition technology, limiting its application and weakening privacy protections per bill's prohibitions and documentation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Emerging Technology

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1977: An Act relative to Proportionality in Joint Venture Sentencing

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1977) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa for legislation to provide equitable sentencing for felony and joint venture murder. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks equitable sentencing for joint venture murder, promoting proportionality in criminal justice reform per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 2580: An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents

By Representatives Cruz of Salem and Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2580) of Manny Cruz, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and others relative to local and state law enforcement involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits state/local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect civil rights, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, protecting immigrant rights and safety per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2018: An Act relative to prison reform

By Representative Tyler of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2018) of Chynah Tyler for legislation to establish a review of the impact and effectiveness of facility programming by the Department of Correction including a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the effects of health care in department facilities and a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the effects of confinement in the departmental disciplinary unit on the mental health and wellness of prisoners. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes commissions to review prison programming effectiveness and health care impacts, directly advancing criminal justice reform through systematic evaluation and potential improvements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1725: An Act creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1725) of Liz Miranda, Russell E. Holmes, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to create an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent oversight for structural racism in prisons, directly advancing accountability and equity in correctional facilities per reform indicators.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2028: An Act improving juvenile justice data collection

By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2028) of Andres X. Vargas relative to improving juvenile justice data collection. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeImproves juvenile justice data collection, enabling evidence-based reforms and better outcomes in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1683: An Act to strengthen justice and support for sex trade survivors

H 1683 (An Act to strengthen justice and support for sex trade survivors) creates new services and legal support for individuals who have experienced the sex trade. The bill directly affects survivors by establishing trauma-informed assistance programs and expanding access to legal aid for those navigating criminal justice involvement related to their survival. Key provisions include mandatory training for law enforcement on survivor-centered approaches and funding for community-based organizations providing housing, counseling, and advocacy. The legislation aims to improve safety and outcomes for survivors through concrete, service-focused policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates trauma-informed support, legal aid, and law enforcement training for sex trade survivors, advancing survivor-centered justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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