A communication from Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr relative to his appointment of Anthony Amore to the special commission to study and examine opportunities for collaboration and consolidation among the department of correction, the county sheriffs, the parole board and the office of community corrections

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

A special commission, including Anthony Amore, will study opportunities for collaboration and possible consolidation among the Department of Correction, county sheriffs, the Parole

Scheduled for the House Journal Addenda

Summary of House Bill HD 4378

Overview

HD 4378 is a House docket item that records a communication from Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr appointing Anthony Amore to a special commission. The commission’s mandate is to study and examine opportunities for collaboration and consolidation among four entities: the Department of Correction, the county sheriffs, the Parole Board, and the Office of Community Corrections. The bill is classified as a proposed bill and was introduced on January 13, 2025. It is currently scheduled for the House Journal Addenda.

Purpose and Intent

Formalize the appointment of a member (Anthony Amore) to a special commission.

Direct the commission to study potential opportunities for collaboration and consolidation among the Department of Correction, county sheriffs, the Parole Board, and the Office of Community Corrections.

The communication serves to convey the appointment and the commission’s scope rather than to establish new statutory authorities or funding (based on the available bill text).

Key Provisions

Appointment: Anthony Amore is appointed by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr to the special commission.

Commission Charge: The commission is tasked with studying opportunities for collaboration and consolidation among the Department of Correction, county sheriffs, the Parole Board, and the Office of Community Corrections.

Legislation Form: The text reflects a formal communications item (a message) associated with HD 4378, rather than a standalone substantive statute.

Status: Scheduled for the House Journal Addenda, indicating placement in the official journal compilation of the House’s actions.

Affected Parties and Entities

Primary: Anthony Amore (appointed member) and the special commission itself.

Institutions under study: Massachusetts Department of Correction; county sheriff departments; Massachusetts Parole Board; Office of Community Corrections.

Potentially affected staff, operations, and policy considerations within the four agencies as the commission evaluates structures, processes, and opportunities for collaboration or consolidation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction date: January 13, 2025.

Status: Scheduled for the House Journal Addenda (a routine procedural step for communications and appointments).

There is no detailed timeline or reporting deadline publicly specified in the available text; if the commission is formed, a separate report or timeline would typically be defined in subsequent legislation or administrative actions.

Potential Implications

The commission’s findings could inform future proposals on organizational structure, cross-agency collaboration, or consolidation within corrections and community supervision frameworks.

As a study commission, the immediate effect is to initiate analysis and guidance rather than to create binding policy or funding changes without further legislative action.

Notes

This summary reflects the information available in the bill’s provided text. Additional details (e.g., commission size, reporting deadlines, or funding) may appear in the full bill language or subsequent amendments.