Bill > H1612

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Innocence Commission, a body tasked with analyzing the circumstances of innocent persons being charged, prosecuted, convicted, and incarcerated. The commission will advise the legislature on the causes and factors associated with wrongful convictions, and recommend reforms to investigative, prosecutorial, judicial, and other processes to reduce the likelihood of innocent persons being convicted of crimes. The commission will evaluate and make recommendations on various aspects of the criminal justice system, including post-conviction access to DNA and forensic evidence, eyewitness identification procedures, videotaping of questioning, use of informant testimony, disclosure of exculpatory information, law enforcement training, forensic laboratory operations, and oversight and disciplinary structures for misconduct. The commission will be composed of representatives from various stakeholder groups, including the public defender's office, attorney general's office, state police, defense lawyers, correctional staff, police chiefs, district attorneys, forensic scientists, and civil rights organizations.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1612