Criminal Justice in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1619: An Act relative to Trial Court data collection

This bill requires Massachusetts trial courts to collect and publicly share specific data about people accused of crimes. It mandates that courts record offense details, race, gender, and age information for all individuals appearing in court for criminal matters. The key mechanism is a new requirement for courts to maintain this demographic and case data and make it publicly available online. This directly affects trial courts in Massachusetts, imposing a new administrative duty for data collection and transparency.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1726: An Act relative to criminal disposition of limited psilocybin possession offenses

HD 3895, titled the "No Harm No Foul Act," amends Massachusetts law to allow courts to dismiss simple psilocybin possession charges under specific conditions. It directly affects adults aged 21 or older caught with small amounts of psilocybin (not for distribution) who were not driving and did not endanger children or cause visible harm to others. The key provision requires a court to dismiss the case if it finds all three conditions met: defendant over 21, not operating a vehicle, and no harm to health/safety. This changes how minor psilocybin possession offenses are handled, shifting from prosecution to dismissal when these criteria are satisfied. The bill does not decriminalize psilocybin but creates a specific pathway for case dismissal in limited circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1125: An Act to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board

This bill modernizes Massachusetts' Victim and Witness Assistance Board by requiring courthouses and police stations to prominently display rights summaries in the top five non-English languages spoken locally (per census data). It updates gender references from "him" to "them" and expands the board's duties to include funding victim services, providing professional development for service providers, advocating for policy changes, managing the Garden of Peace memorial in Boston, and administering the SAFEPLAN advocacy program. The changes directly affect victims/witnesses, court officials, police departments, and victim service providers across Massachusetts. The bill focuses on improving accessibility to rights information and strengthening the board's operational role.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1858: An Act relative to removing criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession

HD 188 removes criminal penalties for possessing up to one gram of psilocybin (magic mushrooms), replacing them with a $100 civil fine. It exempts specific groups including veterans, first responders, individuals with certain medical conditions, Indigenous ceremonial users, and those in clinical research. The civil fines collected will fund a new Psilocybin Fines Trust Fund, which will support community harm reduction services, public health education, and grants for qualifying organizations serving impacted communities. The bill also updates related laws to include psilocybin in possession limits for marijuana. It ensures these penalties don't affect student aid, housing, or professional licensing.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 23, 2025

H 1675: An Act to advance hate-crime protections for victims who are targeted due to their gender

HD 3639 amends the state hate crime law to explicitly include "sex" and "gender" as protected categories, alongside existing terms like race and religion. This change ensures that crimes motivated by a victim's sex or gender will now qualify for enhanced penalties under the hate crime statute. The bill directly affects victims of such crimes, as well as law enforcement and courts that apply these provisions. It expands the scope of existing protections without creating new requirements or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 1386: An Act to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

This bill transfers operation of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. It directly affects patients at the hospital, who will now receive care under the Mental Health Department's oversight instead of Corrections. Key provisions include removing all references to the hospital's "medical director" from existing laws, creating a new forensic mental health division within Mental Health, and updating procedures for patient commitments and transfers. The transfer must be completed by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2592: An Act authorizing the voluntary disavowal of eligibility to purchase a firearm

This bill allows individuals with diagnosed depression who feel suicidal to voluntarily give up their right to purchase firearms. People can submit a form at hospitals or emergency facilities (after being assessed by a clinician) to be added to a confidential list, preventing firearm sellers from selling to them. The list is kept private (not public record) and shared only with licensed firearm sellers, who face penalties for violating the restriction. Individuals can also petition a court to have their name removed from the list later. It directly affects people with mental health concerns who choose this option and firearm sellers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1732: An Act amending the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child

This bill extends time limits for both civil and criminal cases involving child sexual assault and rape. For civil cases under Title IX (e.g., school-related discrimination claims), it removes the standard 3-year filing deadline, instead applying a new provision specific to child sexual assault cases. For criminal prosecutions, it allows charges for indecent assault/battery or rape of a child (victim under 18) to be filed at any time, regardless of when the offense occurred. The bill directly affects victims of child sexual violence and the legal system handling these cases. It makes concrete policy changes to the statute of limitations for these specific offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1733: An Act relative to the age of consent in certain criminal prosecutions and civil actions for sexual assault and rape of a child

HD 645 updates Massachusetts law to address sexual abuse by employees or contractors in educational and child-serving settings. It creates new criminal penalties (up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fine) for staff who sexually abuse minors under 19 (or under 22 without a high school diploma/GED) served by schools, child services, or colleges. The law also establishes a civil lawsuit right for victims against such abusers, stating minors in these settings are legally deemed incapable of consent. These provisions apply specifically to individuals under 19 without a diploma/GED enrolled in or served by schools or colleges.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate May 18, 2026

S 2623: An Act promoting community immunity

Senate, October 14, 2025 -- The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1618) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael J. Barrett, Erika Uyterhoeven, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote community immunity, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2623).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

All criminal justice bills