Bill > H4043

This bill proposes several key changes to the criminal justice system in Massachusetts: 1. It establishes definitions for the "age of criminal majority" (18 years old) and "substantial financial hardship" in state law. 2. It requires the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services to quarterly obtain and publish arrest data from law enforcement agencies across the state in a public database, with certain personally identifiable information excluded. 3. It establishes data collection and reporting standards for criminal justice agencies and the trial court to improve transparency and accountability around populations, trends, and outcomes in the criminal justice system. 4. It allows district attorneys to establish pre-arraignment diversion programs for veterans, active service members, those with substance use disorders, or those with mental health issues. 5. It creates a childhood trauma task force to study and make recommendations on trauma-informed approaches for juveniles and youthful offenders in the juvenile justice system. 6. It makes various changes to requirements for DNA sample collection, administrative and disciplinary segregation policies, and medical parole procedures for incarcerated individuals. 7. It includes provisions related to bail, fines, fees, and restitution to address issues of substantial financial hardship. 8. It establishes an expungement process for certain criminal records and limits how they can be used. 9. It allows for the use of restorative justice programs as an alternative to traditional criminal justice proceedings. The bill aims to promote public safety, improve transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system, address racial and ethnic disparities, support rehabilitation and reentry, and ensure just outcomes for individuals facing financial hardship.

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4043