A communication from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association (see Section 40 of Chapter 126 of the General Laws) submitting the aggregate data on the population of the Berkshire County Correctional Facility for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2025

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Transmits aggregate Berkshire County Correctional Facility population data for Q4 2025 to the Legislature under existing reporting authority, enabling oversight and planning.

Placed on file

Summary of Bill: HD 6194 (Session 194th, Massachusetts)

Purpose and overall intent

HD 6194 is a legislative measure described as a communication from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association. It references Section 40 of Chapter 126 of the General Laws and concerns the submission of aggregate data related to the population of the Berkshire County Correctional Facility. The bill’s primary function appears to be to formally transmit or file data about the facility’s population for a specified period, rather than to enact broad new policy or funding changes.

Key provisions and changes

Creates/recognizes a formal communication from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association to the Legislature.

Pertains to aggregate population data for the Berkshire County Correctional Facility.

Specifically requests or logs data for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2025.

Relies on Section 40 of Chapter 126 of the General Laws as the statutory basis for the data submission or reporting mechanism. This indicates the data is likely to be submitted under existing reporting requirements rather than through new regulatory provisions.

The act is procedural in nature, focusing on reporting and data sharing rather than establishing new programs, funding, or enforcement.

Who or what would be affected

Berkshire County Correctional Facility: the subject of the population data being reported.

Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association: the reporting body issuing the communication to the Legislature.

Members of the Massachusetts Legislature and state agencies: recipients or beneficiaries of the data, which could influence oversight, budgeting, or policy discussions related to the facility.

Inmates and facility operations: indirectly affected to the extent that data collection and reporting reflect population trends and resource needs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Placed on file on June 15, 2026.

Timing: The bill references population data for the fourth quarter of 2025; the communication is being filed retrospectively.

Process: This is a communicative/documentary bill, not a substantive statutory change; it likely serves to document or transmit aggregate population data under the authority of existing law.

PotentialImpact and considerations

Data transparency: Provides legislators with quarterly population data for the Berkshire County Correctional Facility, aiding oversight and resource planning.

Policy relevance: While the bill itself does not introduce new policies, the data could inform decisions on inmate population management, staffing, facility capacity, and related budget needs.

Privacy and scope: As an aggregate data submission, it is designed to protect individual identities while conveying overall population metrics.

Note: The bill reads as a data submission requirement under existing law rather than a standalone policy proposal. If you need, I can compare this to prior quarterly data submissions or provide context on Section 40 of Chapter 126 to clarify the statutory framework.