WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 2636

An Act creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the special legislative commission on structural racism in correctional facilities of the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marjorie Decker and 13 co-sponsors

Creates an independent correctional oversight body (IDAREU) with an anti-racism inspector general to implement, monitor, and report on strategies reducing structural racism in Mass

Accompanied a study order, see H5322 (under House Rule 27)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 2636

Summary: H.2636 – An Act creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the special legislative commission on structural racism in correctional facilities of the Commonwealth

Overview

H.2636, introduced on February 27, 2025, proposes creating an independent correctional oversight mechanism to implement and monitor the recommendations of the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities. The bill seeks to address and dismantle structural racism within Massachusetts corrections by establishing robust data systems, independent oversight, and a dedicated anti-racism inspector general within the existing Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

Purpose and intent

  • Implement the Commission’s findings that structural racism permeates Massachusetts corrections and leads to disparate outcomes for BIPOC individuals, correctional staff, and other intersecting identities.
  • Establish an independent oversight framework to collect, analyze, and report demographic and experiential data, and to monitor day-to-day correctional operations and progress toward reducing structural racism.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of IDAREU (Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity Unit) within the Office of the Inspector General.
  • Creation of an anti-racism corrections inspector general (head of IDAREU) who will work full-time.
  • Appointment process: the anti-racism corrections inspector general would be appointed by a majority vote of the Attorney General, the State Auditor, and the Chair of the Black and Latino Caucus, and would be confirmed by a majority vote of the Community Council. Selection would emphasize integrity, restorative justice, and expertise in anti-racist strategies (appointment not based on political affiliation).
  • Definitions establishing scope: “correctional facility,” “correctional community members” (incarcerated persons and correctional staff), “BIPOC,” “private agency,” and “record.”
  • Data and reporting requirements: mandate for robust data systems, with disaggregated demographic data (age, race/ethnicity, language, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation) and tracking of experiences of BIPOC individuals within corrections; use of data to gauge progress in dismantling structural racism.
  • Objective: provide independent oversight to facilitate implementation of Commission recommendations and improve transparency, accountability, and equity in correctional operations.

Who would be affected

  • Incarcerated individuals and correctional staff (BIPOC communities specifically targeted for enhanced protections and scrutiny).
  • Massachusetts Department of Corrections and any private agencies providing contracted services to corrections.
  • The Office of the Inspector General, which would house the new IDAREU and the anti-racism corrections inspector general.
  • The broader correctional governance ecosystem, including tribal and community organizations via the Community Council.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Status: Referred to the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
  • Hearing schedule updates show multiple rescheduled dates, with a latest hearing noted for October 15, 2025 (A-2 and virtual).
  • Related bill: HD 1752 (listed as a replacement version of this measure).

Additional context

  • The bill explicitly anchors its authority in the findings of the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities, which identified four forms of racism: institutional, systemic, interpersonal, and internalized.
  • The act envisions ongoing data collection, analysis, and independent oversight as central tools for progress toward dismantling structural racism in Commonwealth corrections.

This summary reflects the bill’s substantive provisions and its potential impact on oversight, data practices, and equity within Massachusetts corrections.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.