Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

HD 5758: An Act to promote healing for the families of homicide victims

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by requiring quarterly reports on homicide investigations to victim families, strengthening transparency in criminal justice processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 4860: An Act relative to safety and justice

This bill (H 4860) creates a new compensation system for people wrongfully convicted of felonies in Massachusetts. It lowers the required proof standard from "clear and convincing" to "preponderance of the evidence" to qualify for compensation under Chapter 258D, and expands eligible compensation to include educational services, financial literacy training, and waived tuition at public colleges. The bill also mandates courts to expunge or seal criminal records related to the wrongful conviction after a successful claim, while limiting total damages based on incarceration length (e.g., up to $1 million for 10 years of incarceration). It directly affects individuals exonerated after being convicted of felonies, providing both financial compensation and record-clearing mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLowers proof standard for wrongful conviction compensation, expands support services, and mandates record expungement - directly advancing criminal justice reform through accountability and rehabilitation.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands compensation to include waived tuition at public colleges and educational services, directly advancing educational access for wrongfully convicted individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Higher Education

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

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

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1125) of Adam Gomez for legislation to modernize the roles and responsibilities of the victim and witness assistance board. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modernizes victim/witness assistance board, enhancing victim support within criminal justice system per Judiciary committee focus. Aligns with reform indicators like improving victim services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1731: An Act amending the victim of violent crime compensation law

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides compensation for child abuse victims through victim services, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim support and protection within the judicial system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 1180: An Act expanding access to victim compensation

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1180) of Liz Miranda for legislation to expand access to victim compensation. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim compensation access, supporting victims' rights within criminal justice system per Judiciary committee focus85% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 24, 2025

S 1413: An Act to promote victim service funding

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1413) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to promote the victim service fund with revenues received by the commonwealth from public and private sources as gifts, grants and donations. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes victim service funding, a direct component of criminal justice support systems, aligning with reform goals to assist crime victims.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly promotes victim services funding with focus on mental health and substance use recovery, directly supporting healthcare services in this area.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1329: An Act relative to the release of sex offender information to victims

This bill amends Massachusetts law to require the Board of Probation to inform enrolled victims about specific sex offender details upon request. Victims who have joined the Board's victim services unit will receive the offender's final classification and addresses (home, secondary, work, and school). The provision directly affects victims who are enrolled in the services unit, adding a specific notification requirement to existing processes. It does not change offender classification standards or create new penalties, only clarifying victim notification procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim notification for sex offenders, strengthening victim protections within criminal justice system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1351: An Act relative to juvenile restitution

This bill requires courts to ensure juvenile offenders make restitution to victims of their crimes. It mandates that courts order juveniles to repair, replace, or pay for damage caused by their actions, and makes restitution a condition for release, placement, or parole. Courts may also collect restitution directly through limited fines, wage withholdings, or other court-approved collection methods, with payments then given to the victim. The law directly affects juvenile offenders and crime victims in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restitution for juvenile offenders, aligning with victim accountability and rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 752: An Act to amend the definition of hate crime

SD 752 amends Massachusetts hate crime law (Section 39 of Chapter 265) to clarify that hate crimes must target "another person" based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation. The bill specifically changes the language to ensure restitution ordered for property damage caused by hate crimes must be used to repair the actual damage, not diverted elsewhere. This directly affects victims of hate-motivated property damage, guaranteeing restitution funds are applied to repair their property. The changes focus on precise legal wording to strengthen enforcement of restitution requirements under existing hate crime statutes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies hate crime definition and ensures restitution funds repair actual damage, strengthening victim protections in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Victims' Rights

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2241: An Act to enhance protections against child exploitation and misuse of emerging technologies

This bill updates Massachusetts law to address child exploitation involving new technologies like artificial intelligence. It defines AI-generated images of children, deepfakes, and "child-like sex dolls" as illegal, expanding existing protections to cover digital content. Offenders face increased prison sentences (up to 40 years for repeat offenses) and must pay victim restitution for counseling and legal costs. The law also establishes a task force to monitor technology risks and funds victim support services including counseling and legal aid.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for AI/deepfake child exploitation, mandates restitution, establishes task force to strengthen protections against emerging criminal threats in criminal justice.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts AI-generated child exploitation content and defines deepfakes as illegal, imposing penalties for misuse of emerging technology.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Artificial Intelligence

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