Bill

Bill > S156


MA S156

MA S156
Resolve establishing a special commission on the treatment of intellectually and developmentally disabled offenders in the criminal justice system


summary

Introduced
02/27/2025
In Committee
10/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

194th General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to tthe treatment of intellectually and developmentally disabled offenders in the criminal justice system. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a special 21-member commission to study and make recommendations about how to address the treatment of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities within the criminal justice system. The commission will include representatives from various state agencies, legislative committees, law enforcement organizations, and disability advocacy groups, such as the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association, the Arc of Massachusetts, and the Disability Law Center. The commission's specific tasks include investigating existing options for diverting individuals with disabilities from incarceration, improving placement processes, developing techniques to identify individuals at risk due to developmental or intellectual disabilities, and exploring services and resources to prevent the escalation of potential issues. The commission will be co-chaired by the secretaries of health and human services and public safety and security, and will be required to file a comprehensive report with legislative recommendations by July 31, 2026, which will include proposed legislation to implement their findings. This initiative aims to create more supportive and appropriate approaches for managing interactions between individuals with disabilities and the criminal justice system.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means (on 10/20/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S156
BillText https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S156.pdf
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