CRIMINAL JUSTICE

The following includes a list of the criminal-justice bills my office has filed in 2025-2026. In addition to these bills, I have cosponsored many others. To read the full text of the bill, click on the bill name.

An Act relative to Proportionality in Joint Venture Sentencing

This bill amends various sections of Chapter 274 of the General Laws to address accomplice murder and related sentencing procedures. It creates a new section (2A) defining accomplice murder and establishes penalties for those who aid in a killing but are not the principal perpetrator. It also allows incarcerated individuals convicted under joint venture theories to petition for resentencing if they meet specific criteria, and mandates the creation of a petition process. Finally, the bill requires notifications, hearings, and reports related to resentencing petitions, ensuring individuals are given fair opportunities for reconsideration of their convictions.

An Act to track the implementation of the Brangan ruling

This bill amends Section 57 of Chapter 276 by requiring that the bail amount and charges be reported to the Committee for Public Counsel Services. The data will be tracked to ensure the proper implementation of the law. This tracking aims to improve oversight and accountability in the bail process. The amendment helps ensure that relevant data is accessible for better legal service implementation.

An Act to promote equitable access to parole

This bill amends various sections of Massachusetts General Laws to reform parole procedures. It establishes that the parole board must include members with specific qualifications in psychiatry, psychology, social work, or substance use treatment, and mandates training on cultural competency and implicit bias. It also introduces provisions for more transparency, including making parole hearings and decisions public, with detailed reasoning for denials and conditions of parole. Additionally, it ensures that parole decisions are based on an individual’s rehabilitation progress, with a focus on providing necessary support services like housing, healthcare, and substance abuse treatment.

An Act Relative to Elder and Medical Parole

This bill introduces changes to parole law, focusing on elder and medical parole. It allows inmates aged 55 or older who have served at least half of their sentence or 15 years to be considered for parole, with hearings scheduled within 60 days of meeting the criteria. Special attention will be given to factors such as the person's age, health, and the conditions of their confinement, and the parole board will reconsider parole every two years if initially denied, ensuring decisions are made impartially. Additionally, inmates who are terminally ill or permanently incapacitated may be eligible for medical parole, with a thorough review process involving medical evaluations and risk assessments, and parole can be granted unless the individual poses a public safety risk. The bill also includes provisions for parole revocation if a person's condition improves or they violate parole conditions.

An Act prohibiting deception in juvenile interrogations

This bill amends laws regarding juvenile custodial interrogations by prohibiting the use of deception by law enforcement during such interrogations. Any statement made by a juvenile under deceptive circumstances is presumed involuntary and inadmissible in court, unless the prosecution can prove it was voluntary. It also mandates the recording of all juvenile custodial interrogations, with any unrecorded statements being inadmissible unless the prosecution can show that recording was not feasible. These provisions apply to statements made on or after the bill’s effective date.

An Act relative to civil asset forfeiture and reentry housing

This bill focuses on issues of civil asset forfeiture and the provision of housing for individuals reentering society. It seeks to address the regulation and reform of civil asset forfeiture practices and aims to ensure that individuals transitioning back into society after incarceration have access to appropriate housing. The bill outlines changes in laws related to these matters, aiming to improve fairness and support for reintegration.