A quarterly report of the Sheriff’s Department of Plymouth County (under Section 40 of Chapter 126 of the General Laws) submitting the aggregate data on the population of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility for the first quarter of calendar year 2026

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Requires Plymouth County Sheriff to file quarterly aggregate population data for the Plymouth County Correctional Facility starting 2026 Q1 to boost transparency and oversight.

Placed on file

Summary of Bill HD 6085 (Session 194th) — Massachusetts

Purpose and intent

This bill requires the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department to submit a quarterly report that aggregates data on the population of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

The reporting obligation is anchored to Section 40 of Chapter 126 of the General Laws, indicating a statutory framework for data collection and transparency related to county correctional facilities.

Key provisions

Quarterly reporting: The Sheriff’s Department must prepare and submit a report every quarter.

Data scope: The reports must provide aggregate data on the population of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility. While the exact data fields are not enumerated in the summary, “aggregate data on the population” typically includes metrics such as average daily population, total admissions and releases, inmate demographics (e.g., age, gender, race/ethnicity), housing/tier distribution, security status, and length of stay. The bill specifies that this information be compiled and presented for the first quarter of calendar year 2026.

Compliance reference: The requirement is tied to statutory authority under Chapter 126, Section 40, giving the data collection and reporting mandate legal footing within the state laws governing county correctional facilities.

Affected entities

Primary: Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department (specifically the Plymouth County Correctional Facility).

Indirect beneficiaries: The general public, researchers, policymakers, and oversight bodies seeking transparency and data-driven insights into jail populations and facility operations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Placed on file as of May 26, 2026. This typically indicates that the bill has been received and recorded by the legislative body but is notnecessarily enacted into law; it may be awaiting further action or committee consideration unless otherwise specified.

Reporting cadence: Quarterly reports are required going forward, with the first quarter of calendar year 2026 being the initial period covered by the bill’s mandate.

Implementation considerations: Agencies will need internal data collection capabilities to produce aggregated statistics and ensure consistency across quarters and potential public accessibility or internal reporting channels, depending on additional statutory or administrative rules.

Potential impact

Increased transparency: Regular, standardized reporting on jail population can improve openness about inmate demographics, housing, and turnover.

Policy and oversight: Data can inform decisions by county officials, sheriff's leadership, and external stakeholders regarding jail operations, sentencing outcomes, and resource needs.

Accountability and planning: Aggregated quarterly data can support trend analysis, help identify changes over time, and facilitate performance monitoring of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

If you’d like, I can expand this with a hypothetical data template (e.g., fields to be reported), or provide comparisons to similar reporting requirements in other counties.