Criminal Justice (Courts)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 30, 2026

SD 4078: Violence Prevention Services Funding Structure Commission Final Report

Report of the Special Commission on Violence Prevention Services Funding (pursuant to Section 149 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its recommendations to the General Court on the commonwealth’s funding structure for gun violence prevention services funding

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds gun violence prevention services, directly addressing crime reduction and public safety within the criminal justice framework.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5275: An Act reducing emergency department boarding

This bill amends existing mental health laws to protect individuals held in emergency departments who are being restrained while awaiting psychiatric evaluations. It requires facilities not authorized to perform evaluations to inform patients and their guardians about their right to voluntary admission and limits restraint to a maximum of 72 hours. If a person is held longer than 48 hours at such a facility, they must be told they can request a lawyer, and the state will appoint one if needed. The bill also allows individuals to request an emergency court hearing within one business day if they believe the restraint was improper. These changes directly affect patients, their families, and mental health facilities across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights of individuals in mental health crisis by limiting restraint duration and ensuring legal representation, aligning with criminal justice reform and rights protection.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights in mental health settings, limits restraint duration, and ensures legal representation, directly supporting healthcare access and patient safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 5125: An Act limiting the use of prison labor

This bill prohibits Massachusetts prison officials from transferring inmates to other states for labor purposes, directly affecting correctional facilities and inmates. It allows exceptions only if the governor declares an emergency in another state and the inmate provides written consent. Transfers for non-labor reasons, such as medical care or court appearances, remain permitted under existing rules. The law aims to prevent out-of-state labor exploitation while maintaining flexibility for emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits out-of-state prison labor exploitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect inmate rights and prevent labor exploitation in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate May 14, 2026

S 2975: An Act protecting access to justice

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2975) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Lydia Edwards, Patricia D. Jehlen, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect access to justice. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects access to justice in Judiciary, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like fair access and civil rights protection in court systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SD 3677: An Act relative to violations of the United States Constitution under color of law

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of William N. Brownsberger, Cindy F. Friedman, Pavel M. Payano, Cynthia Stone Creem and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to violations of the United States Constitution under color of law. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets law enforcement constitutional violations under color of law, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights - core criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 22, 2026

S 2858: An Act to build restorative family and community connection

Senate, January 22, 2026 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1720) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Mike Connolly, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to regulating visits in state prisons and correctional facilities, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2858).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates prison visits to build restorative family/community connections, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2955: An Act to reduce exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress code violations

Senate, February 9, 2026 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 359) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to promote a healthy culture and climate within schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 368) of Adam Gomez, Michael J. Barrett, Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the Senate for legislation to reduce exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress code violations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 376) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to promote the education success of court involved children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 380) of Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish statewide targets for addressing persistent disparities in achievement and suspension and expulsion in public schools; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 387) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to safer schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2955).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces exclusionary school discipline, directly addressing criminal justice reform by preventing minor infractions from escalating into justice system involvement (school-to-prison pipeline).95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces exclusionary discipline for dress/grooming violations, promoting healthier school climate and protecting student access to education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Student Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2944: An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium

February, , 2026 -- The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2114) of Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael J. Barrett, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a jail and prison construction moratorium, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2944).

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesHalts state spending on new jail/prison construction, restricting budget allocation for corrections infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHalts new prison construction, reducing incarceration capacity aligns with criminal justice reform goals of decreasing prison populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SD 3607: An Act protecting access to justice

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Lydia Edwards, Patricia D. Jehlen, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect access to justice. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly protects 'access to justice' (a key criminal justice reform indicator), aligning with civil rights protection and fair court access within the Judiciary subject area.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4999: An Act to protect victims of stalking in violation of harassment prevention orders

This bill requires law enforcement to notify victims when harassment prevention orders (for stalking or harassment) are served, not served, or expire. It directly affects victims of stalking who have these court orders by ensuring they receive timely updates about the order's status. Key provisions mandate that police inform victims within 12 hours if an order isn't served, then every 24 hours until service is complete, and also notify them if the order expires. The law applies to both temporary and permanent orders under Chapters 209A and 258E of Massachusetts law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victims via mandatory law enforcement notifications on stalking order status, enhancing victim safety and court order enforcement in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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