Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jun 29, 2026

HD 5809: A communication from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (see item 8100-0111 of Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting the Office of Grants and Research Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Community Safety Initiative annual report for fiscal year 2026

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill submits a report for an initiative funding community strategies to combat gang violence, indicating support for public safety and crime reduction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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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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signed · Massachusetts · House Dec 12, 2025

H 4645: An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker

This bill (H 4645, now Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2025) increases penalties for assaulting public transit workers while they are on duty. It makes it a crime to commit assault and battery - including using bodily substances like blood or saliva - against a transit worker performing their job, punishable by 90 days to 2.5 years in jail or fines of $500 to $5,000. The law specifically defines "bodily substance" to include human secretions such as saliva, urine, or feces. It directly affects transit workers by strengthening legal protections during their work. The bill was enacted in late 2025 after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor’s signature.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting transit workers, expanding criminalization of bodily substance assaults with harsher sentences (90 days-2.5 years), opposing reform efforts.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects transit workers' safety by increasing penalties for assault during work duties, directly advancing workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances public transit safety by increasing penalties for assaulting transit workers, directly protecting workers performing transportation duties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Public Transit

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1165: An Act amending the statute of limitations regarding criminal prosecutions for the crimes of sexual assault and rape of a child

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for child sexual assault prosecutions, enabling delayed reporting and holding perpetrators accountable - key criminal justice reform aligned with victim protection and justice access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2634: An Act relative to sexual assault by an officer

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets sexual assault by law enforcement officers, enhancing police accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2000: An Act establishing statewide standards for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishing statewide standards for sexual assault/domestic violence service providers improves victim support and service quality within the criminal justice system, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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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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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 23, 2025

H 4633: An Act relative to restraining orders as they pertain to hate crimes

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens hate crime protections by clarifying definitions, expanding victim coverage, and increasing penalties for bias-motivated assaults, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1732: An Act amending the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for child sexual assault prosecutions, enabling more victims to seek justice and aligns with civil rights protections in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1733: An Act relative to the age of consent in certain criminal prosecutions and civil actions for sexual assault and rape of a child

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill raises age of consent to strengthen prosecution of child sexual assault, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect minors' rights and ensure proper legal accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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