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H 1913

An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Connolly and 12 co-sponsors

H 1913 - An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration SummaryThis bill, known as the "Treatment, Not Incarceration Act", aims to shift the state's approach to certain nonviolent

Hearing rescheduled to 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-08:00 PM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
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Bill Summary · H 1913

H 1913 - An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

Summary

This bill, known as the "Treatment, Not Incarceration Act", aims to shift the state's approach to certain nonviolent criminal offenses from incarceration to a focus on treatment and rehabilitation. The primary goal is to address underlying substance abuse and mental health issues that often contribute to these types of offenses, rather than defaulting to jail or prison sentences.

Key Provisions

  • Expands eligibility for diversion programs that connect offenders with community-based treatment services for substance abuse, mental health, or co-occurring disorders
  • Requires courts to consider treatment options and recovery-oriented sentences as alternatives to incarceration for qualifying nonviolent offenses
  • Directs the Department of Correction to develop new programming and partnerships to facilitate a "treatment-first" approach for eligible offenders
  • Allocates $25 million in additional annual funding for expanding access to community-based treatment resources
  • Requires regular reporting on the implementation and outcomes of the new treatment-focused approach

Impact

If enacted, this legislation would significantly reshape the state's criminal justice system for certain nonviolent offenses. Key impacts would include:

  • Reducing incarceration rates for people struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues by directing them to community-based treatment
  • Expanding access to evidence-based addiction and mental health services as alternatives to jail or prison
  • Potential cost savings from decreased incarceration and investment in preventative treatment programs
  • Increased focus on addressing the root causes of criminal behavior rather than solely punitive measures

Procedural Details

The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025 and has been referred to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. A public hearing on the legislation is currently scheduled for November 18, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, both in-person and virtually. The hearing date was recently rescheduled from its original date.

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

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