By Representatives Thurber of Somerset and Silvia of Fall River, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Justin Thurber for legislation to establish minimum mandatory sentencing for persons convicted of rape. The Judiciary.
This bill (H 4996) amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for organized retail crimes. It adds a specific sentencing option allowing courts to impose up to 2.5 years in a house of correction for certain retail theft offenses, updating two sections of the criminal code (Chapter 266, Section 30D and Chapter 218, Section 26). The change directly affects individuals convicted of organized retail theft, providing judges with a new sentencing tool. The bill focuses on modifying existing criminal penalties rather than creating new programs or policies.
HD 1611 (An Act relative to drug distribution causing death) makes drug distributors strictly liable for deaths resulting from the use of specified controlled substances (including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other Class A/B/C drugs under Chapter 94C). It requires distributors to face mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentences (with no parole or probation eligibility before that time), up to $25,000 fines, and life imprisonment for causing a death. The law defines "cause of death" as when the drug use was a direct, necessary factor in the death, and it explicitly bars defenses claiming the user contributed to their own death through reckless or intentional use. This bill directly affects individuals who distribute these drugs, holding them accountable for fatal overdoses regardless of the user's actions.
This bill (HD 1622) increases criminal penalties for illegal firearm sales and possession under Massachusetts law. It raises maximum prison terms, including changing some sentences from "fifteen years" to "life imprisonment" and adding new minimum sentences of "not less than 3 nor more than 10 years" for certain offenses. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of violating firearm laws in Massachusetts. Key changes include raising maximum penalties from 5, 7, 10, and 15 years to 20 years or life, and modifying fine provisions. These are specific sentencing adjustments without new regulatory requirements.
This bill (SD 1329, "Katie Brienzo's Law") amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for drivers who flee the scene of an accident resulting in death. It raises the minimum prison sentence for this offense from one year to two and one-half years, removing the previous option of jail or house of correction sentences. The law directly affects drivers convicted of leaving a fatal accident scene, increasing the mandatory prison term. The bill focuses on updating sentencing requirements within Chapter 90, Section 24 of the General Laws.
SD 177 increases sentencing for hate crimes under Chapter 265. It raises the minimum sentence for certain offenses from five to ten years, changes incarceration from "house of correction" to "state prison," and increases maximum sentences (e.g., from ten to twenty years for specific violations). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of hate crimes by lengthening prison terms and requiring state prison placement instead of local facilities. These changes apply to existing sentencing provisions without creating new offenses or altering victim protections.
This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, or operation of robotic devices (like drones) equipped with weapons (e.g., guns, lasers, explosives), with penalties including mandatory minimum prison sentences. It also bans using robots to threaten, harass, or physically restrain people. Key exemptions include military/defense uses (Department of Defense, National Guard, defense contractors under specific waivers) and law enforcement actions for bomb disposal, property destruction in emergencies, or training. The bill requires law enforcement to obtain warrants for robot deployments on private property or for surveillance, document all uses quarterly, and report publicly. It also allows civil lawsuits for violations and mandates public reporting of law enforcement robot usage.
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.
This bill amends Massachusetts law to change penalties for disorderly conduct. It adds a potential jail term of up to 30 days in a jail or house of correction as an option for courts, alongside or instead of the existing $150 fine. The change directly affects individuals charged with disorderly conduct offenses in Massachusetts. The key provision modifies the penalty structure under Chapter 272, Section 53, by expanding sentencing options for judges.
This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand sentencing options for organized retail theft crimes. It adds a new alternative sentence of up to 2.5 years in a house of correction (a local facility for less severe offenses) alongside existing state prison terms for certain offenses under Chapter 266, Section 30D. Specifically, it modifies punishments for crimes involving theft of $1,000+ from retail stores (or similar organized thefts) by inserting the house of correction option after the current prison terms. The change applies to individuals convicted under these specific retail crime provisions. It does not create new crimes but alters the available penalties for existing offenses.
