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HD 665

An Act establishing an office of restorative justice

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Simon Cataldo and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts creates a dedicated Office of Restorative Justice to coordinate harm-repair programs statewide as alternatives to traditional criminal prosecution and incarceration.

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Bill Summary · HD 665

Legislative bill overview

HD 665 establishes a dedicated Office of Restorative Justice within Massachusetts state government to coordinate, develop, and implement restorative justice programs across the criminal legal system. The office would serve as a central hub for training, policy guidance, and expanding restorative practices that emphasize repairing harm and reintegrating offenders rather than purely punitive approaches.

Why is this important

Restorative justice programs have shown measurable success in reducing recidivism and victim trauma while lowering incarceration costs, but implementation in Massachusetts is currently fragmented across different agencies and communities. Establishing a dedicated office could standardize practices, increase accessibility, and provide resources for scaling these programs statewide—potentially reshaping how the criminal justice system responds to harm.

Potential points of contention

  • Victim advocacy concerns: Critics may worry that restorative approaches prioritize offender rehabilitation over victim protection, restitution, or closure, particularly in serious crimes
  • Implementation and funding: Creating a new state office requires budget allocation and may face fiscal constraints; questions arise about whether resources come from corrections budgets or new appropriations
  • Consistency with prosecution: District attorneys and law enforcement may have concerns about reduced prosecution discretion or pressure to divert cases into restorative programs when they believe traditional criminal prosecution is warranted

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

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