Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1893: An Act to stop profiling transgender people and low-income women

H 1893, introduced by Representative Samantha Montaño, aims to address law enforcement practices targeting transgender people and low-income women. The bill's abstract states it relates to penalties for certain offenses involving these groups but does not detail specific mechanisms or policy changes. Without additional provisions in the provided abstract, the exact scope of the bill's requirements or how it would stop profiling remains unclear. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly targets discriminatory law enforcement profiling of protected groups, aligning with civil rights protections and police accountability in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 728: An Act relative to the reckless evasion of a police officer

HD 728 creates new penalties for drivers who recklessly flee police officers. It imposes fines ($100-$1,000), up to two years in jail, or both for evading officers while endangering people or property. A conviction also requires a 60-day driver's license suspension. The law specifically defines reckless evasion as causing property damage or committing three or more traffic violations during the evasion. This directly affects drivers who flee police under these conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes stricter penalties (fines, jail, license suspension) for reckless evasion, increasing criminalization and mandatory sentences per bill definition.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances traffic safety through stricter penalties for reckless evasion, directly addressing vehicle regulation and driver safety under transportation policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 417: An Act to enhance the rights of crime victims in the Commonwealth

This bill (SD 417) enhances rights for victims of violent crimes like homicide and sexual assault in Massachusetts. It expands who qualifies as a "family member" to include grandparents and partners in relationships similar to marriage, and adds new definitions for "limited English proficient" victims and "vital documents." Key provisions require courts to notify victims of sentencing and probation hearings, guarantee their right to submit written or oral impact statements at sentencing (even in cases with plea deals), and ensure access to free language services. The bill also creates a commission to evaluate victim notification systems related to bail and court proceedings. These changes directly affect crime victims and their families by improving access to court processes and support services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim rights and court notification requirements, aligning with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights of crime victims in sentencing proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing Victims' Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1259: An Act relative to certain offenses

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand when prosecutors can request pretrial detention based on dangerousness. It adds specific offenses to the list where a judge may order detention before trial, including repeated traffic violations (like DUIs), domestic violence offenses under chapters 209A/C, and certain violent or felony crimes. Defendants charged with any of these listed offenses could face pretrial detention if the court finds them dangerous. The change affects individuals facing these specific charges by modifying pretrial release procedures.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands pretrial detention for offenses like repeated DUIs and domestic violence, reducing defendant rights and increasing criminalization without reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Judges

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1688: An Act establishing the executive office of structural racism

HD 1688 establishes Massachusetts' Executive Office of Structural Racism, creating a new state office under a governor-appointed secretary. The office must identify laws and policies perpetuating racial inequality in housing, health, employment, and criminal justice; review new policies for discriminatory impacts; and publish findings on disparities like incarceration rates affecting communities of color. It has authority to analyze state agency records without requiring prior approval for its investigations or reports. The bill directly affects state agencies and communities of color by mandating systematic analysis of structural racism across state policies. The office’s work aims to inform state strategies for advancing racial equity.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates office to identify racial disparities in criminal justice (including incarceration rates) and review policies for discriminatory impacts, directly advancing reform efforts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIdentifies housing policies perpetuating racial inequality, aiming to prevent discrimination in housing access and development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2295: An Act to promote correctional personnel safety

This bill (HD 2295) increases penalties for inmates who assault correctional staff. It targets individuals in custody (in jails, prisons, or detention facilities) who use a dangerous weapon to assault officers, employees, volunteers, or contractors working in those facilities. The law mandates prison sentences of up to 20 years for such assaults, requiring the new sentence to be served after any existing unserved sentences. It defines "dangerous weapon" broadly to include homemade or custom objects designed to cause harm.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for inmate assaults, mandating up to 20-year sentences. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing and expanded criminalization in corrections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enhances workplace safety for correctional staff by increasing penalties for assaults, aligning with labor safety protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2987: An Act to secure housing for returning citizens

HD 2987 creates a state program to help formerly incarcerated people secure housing. The Department of Housing will coordinate a "reentry and formerly incarcerated persons program" requiring agencies to provide housing assistance before and after release, including financial support like housing vouchers. The bill mandates annual reviews of housing programs to track who benefits (using demographic data) and improve services based on feedback from formerly incarcerated people. It also adds priority preferences for this group in multiple state-funded housing initiatives, including affordable housing projects and public housing developments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for housing assistance (vouchers) and program coordination, directly increasing public service funding for a new state program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates housing program for formerly incarcerated people to reduce recidivism, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation services and reentry support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates housing vouchers and program for formerly incarcerated people, directly advancing housing access for vulnerable group through state-funded assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3286: An Act to improve transparency in alleged police misconduct

This bill amends procedures for inquests (investigative hearings) into deaths or serious injuries involving law enforcement officers. It requires the attorney general or district attorney to hold an inquest when there's reasonable suspicion an officer violated laws while acting in their duties, causing serious bodily injury (defined under Chapter 265). The bill mandates timely notice to families and specific agencies, allows targets of investigations to attend with counsel, and ensures families and complainants can observe the process. It focuses on procedural transparency during investigations, not on changing police conduct standards or accountability outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates inquests for police misconduct, enhancing accountability and transparency in law enforcement investigations per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1699: An Act relative to safer schools

SD 1699 (An Act relative to safer schools) restricts school resource officers (SROs) from handling routine discipline or replacing counselors, limiting their involvement to serious criminal incidents like violence or property damage. It requires school districts to annually report detailed data on student interactions with SROs (including arrests, referrals, and searches) and publicly share this information with school committees. The bill also creates grants for schools to adopt non-law enforcement safety practices, such as restorative justice and relationship-building programs, instead of relying on SROs. These changes apply directly to public school districts, charter schools, and regional school systems across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts SROs to serious incidents, mandates data reporting on interactions, and funds non-law enforcement approaches to reduce school criminalization, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts SROs from routine discipline, mandates transparency in student interactions, and creates grants for non-law enforcement safety programs, enhancing school safety and student well-being within educational settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1686: An Act relative to judicial oversight

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1086) of James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to judicial oversight of prisons housing. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes judicial oversight of prisons, implying enhanced accountability in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like oversight strengthening.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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