Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 4861: An Act relative to community corrections

H 4861 establishes an Office of Community Justice Programs within the Department of Probation to oversee statewide community-based alternatives to incarceration. It creates three specific program types: "intensive supervision with treatment" (for higher-risk individuals on probation), "pretrial services" (for defendants awaiting trial), and "reentry services" (for people recently released from prison), all requiring court approval or consent. The bill sets standards for program contracts, mandates victim notification for pretrial services, and prohibits using these programs to replace mandatory minimum prison sentences. This directly affects probationers, pretrial defendants, and people returning from incarceration who qualify for these community-based options.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates community-based alternatives to incarceration with treatment-focused programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2051: An Act to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults

By Representatives Worrell of Boston and Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2051) of Christopher J. Worrell, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to limit sentencing for juveniles and youth. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnds lifetime parole for juveniles, reducing harsh sentencing and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 9, 2025

S 1145: An Act relative to the definition of strangulation

S 1145, introduced by Senator Robyn Kennedy, proposes a legal definition for the term "strangulation" in Massachusetts law. This bill would directly affect criminal cases involving assault or domestic violence by establishing a clear standard for what constitutes strangulation in court proceedings. The legislation aims to standardize legal interpretation without changing existing penalties or sentencing guidelines. It is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStandardizes legal definition for strangulation in criminal/domestic violence cases, ensuring consistent court application of existing law without altering penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1483: An Act relative to pre-adjudication credit for juvenile offenders

This bill (SD 1483) allows juvenile offenders in Massachusetts to receive credit toward their sentence for time spent in secure detention or on electronic monitoring before trial. It requires the Department of Youth Services (DYS) to prepare pre-adjudication reports for courts, detailing a youth's pre-trial detention time, participation in DYS programs, and positive behavior - excluding negative details. The bill also mandates that DYS include in internal evaluations the youth's pre-trial detention time, program participation, and conduct, and informs juveniles that this pre-trial behavior will be considered during sentencing. These changes directly affect juvenile offenders in the state's justice system and aim to incorporate pre-trial conduct into sentencing decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows pre-trial detention credit for juveniles, mandates positive behavior reports to reduce unnecessary incarceration and promote rehabilitation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1049: An Act relative to drug induced homicide

SD 1049 increases penalties for individuals trafficking Class A drugs who cause death, imposing up to life imprisonment. It also protects people seeking medical help for drug overdoses from prosecution. The bill creates a permanent commission to review drug-induced homicide convictions, ensuring no bias in charging/sentencing and promoting treatment options over mandatory minimums. The commission, composed of justice, law enforcement, and substance use experts, will report annually and make policy recommendations to state leaders. This bill directly affects drug traffickers causing deaths and overdose responders, with oversight focused on equitable application of the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates commission to review drug-induced homicide convictions, promotes treatment over mandatory minimums, and protects overdose seekers from prosecution - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects overdose seekers from prosecution and mandates treatment-focused review commission, directly advancing healthcare access and patient rights in substance use cases.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1093: An Act relative to drug induced homicide

HD 1093 increases penalties for individuals trafficking Class A drugs who cause death, imposing up to life in prison. It also creates a legal shield for people seeking medical help during a drug overdose, protecting them from prosecution for drug distribution. The bill establishes a permanent commission to review how drug-induced homicide laws are applied, ensuring no bias in charging/sentencing, promoting treatment over punishment, and eliminating mandatory minimum sentences. The commission, with diverse expertise including substance use recovery and racial justice, will report annually to state officials with recommendations. This law directly affects drug distributors causing deaths and individuals seeking emergency help during overdoses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes treatment over punishment, eliminates mandatory minimums, and establishes commission for fair application of drug homicide laws.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLegal shield for overdose seekers promotes healthcare access; commission prioritizes treatment over punishment, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 831: An Act regularizing sentencing for hate crimes

HD 831 requires individuals convicted of hate crimes (or granted a continuance without a finding) to complete a state-approved diversity awareness program, designed by the Secretary of Public Safety and the Commission Against Discrimination. The program must be completed before release from prison or before probation ends. Courts must order this program if the crime was motivated by race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, though they may waive it only with specific written findings of good cause. This bill directly affects hate crime defendants in Massachusetts state court.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates diversity awareness program for hate crime offenders, promoting rehabilitation and addressing root causes of bias, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1475: An Act relative to proportionality in joint venture sentencing

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1179) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to proportionality in joint venture sentencing for accessory to murder. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes sentencing proportionality for accessory to murder, aligning with criminal justice reform by ensuring fairer penalties and reducing excessive sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1626: An Act preventing rampant online technological exploitation and criminal trafficking

By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1626) of Manny Cruz relative to preventing rampant online technological exploitation and criminal trafficking and establishing a special commission (including members of the General Court) to examine sentencing for criminal online technological exploitation. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes commission to examine sentencing for online exploitation, directly addressing criminal justice sentencing reform within Judiciary framework.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prevents online exploitation and criminal trafficking, aligning with cybersecurity and data protection goals through judicial examination of sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 397: An Act regarding conditions of release in Superior Court

This Massachusetts bill (SD 397) amends court procedures for pretrial release in Superior Court. It allows judges to require defendants to avoid all contact with alleged victims and potential witnesses as a condition of release, adding specific restrictions to existing rules. The change directly affects people accused of crimes who may be released before trial. Key provisions expand judicial authority to impose protective conditions to safeguard victims and witnesses during the legal process. The bill makes no changes to sentencing or penalties, only to release conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands judicial authority to require no-contact conditions for victims/witnesses, enhancing protection within criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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