This bill is a procedural communication that submits the annual report for the Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Community Safety Initiative for fiscal year 2026 to the state legislature. The initiative, administered by the Office of Grants and Research, provides one-time funding to local communities to combat gang violence through regional, multi-agency strategies. Eligible applicants must demonstrate high levels of youth violence in their area and commit to a 25 percent financial match from municipal or private sources. The report details how grant funds were distributed to support prevention programs, law enforcement coordination, and reintegration efforts for formerly incarcerated individuals.
By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Carlos González relative to police departments coordinating with the families of homicide victims with quarterly reports on the open investigations related to their family member. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1165) of Joan B. Lovely and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to amend the statute of limitations regarding criminal prosecutions for the crimes of sexual assault and rape of a child. The Judiciary.
By Representative Higgins of Leominster, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2634) of Natalie M. Higgins and others relative to indecent assault and battery committed by law enforcement officers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2000) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to statewide standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers. The Judiciary.
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.
H 4633 amends Massachusetts law to strengthen protections for victims of hate crimes by clarifying definitions and increasing penalties. It redefines "harassment" to include repeated acts causing fear based on race, religion, gender identity, or other protected characteristics, and expands the definition of "immediate family" for hate crime protections to include close relatives like spouses and children. The bill also increases penalties for assault or battery motivated by bias, imposing fines up to $5,000 or up to 2.5 years in jail. These changes directly affect individuals targeted by bias-motivated violence and law enforcement handling such cases under Chapter 265, Section 39.
By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1732) of Kenneth I. Gordon and Natalie M. Blais relative to the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child. The Judiciary.
By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1733) of Kenneth I. Gordon and Natalie M. Blais relative to the age of consent in certain criminal prosecutions and civil actions for sexual assault and rape of a child. The Judiciary.
By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1731) of Kenneth I. Gordon for legislation to provide certain persons who were abused as a child with compensation from the Division of Victim Compensation and Assistance within the Department of the Attorney General. The Judiciary.
