Bill > H2591

This bill establishes comprehensive guidelines to maximize and improve visitation rights for incarcerated individuals across Massachusetts state prisons and county correctional facilities. The legislation requires facilities to provide at least two daily visiting periods, including an eight-hour weekend period and four-hour holiday visits, and prohibits unreasonably limiting in-person visitation. Key provisions include allowing multiple visitors per incarcerated person, permitting physical contact like hugging and hand-holding, establishing a complaint process for visitation issues, and creating non-discriminatory dress code standards that respect cultural, religious, and personal identities. The bill mandates that visitors cannot be excluded based solely on criminal history or prior incarceration, requires written justification for any visitation restrictions, and ensures accommodations for people with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation requires bi-annual training for corrections staff on the importance of visitation in reducing recidivism and maintaining respectful interactions, and allows for video communication that supplements (but does not replace) in-person visits. The overall goal is to support family and community connections for incarcerated individuals while maintaining facility security.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2591