Bill
S 1128
Massachusetts parole reform: diversify the board, require data transparency, and base parole decisions on individualized, evidence-based conditions with timely hearings.
Note on sources and scope
- The materials supplied include two distinct bills labeled S 1128 (an Idaho water‑funding bill and a Massachusetts parole reform bill), plus inconsistent sponsor information. This summary focuses on the Massachusetts bill text and docket (Senate Docket No. 2071, filed 1/17/2025 by Sen. Adam Gómez), which matches the title you provided. Where applicable, procedural dates from the Massachusetts docket are included. If you want a summary of the Idaho S.1128 water bill instead, tell me and I will prepare that separately.
Purpose and intent
- The bill implements recommendations from the commission on structural racism in the parole process. Its intent is to increase transparency, accountability, equity, and rehabilitative focus in Massachusetts parole decisions by changing parole board composition, requiring data collection and public reporting, imposing procedural timelines for hearings and decisions, and mandating individualized and evidence‑based parole conditions.
Key provisions (organized by topic)
Parole Board composition and qualifications
- Maintains a parole board of nine members appointed by the governor with council advice/consent; members serve five‑year terms.
- At least three members must have 5+ years’ experience in psychiatry, psychology, social work, or substance use treatment; at least one of those three must be a licensed mental health professional.
- At least one member must be a person who has been incarcerated and successfully completed the parole process; at least three years must have passed since that person completed the parole process; that individual must also have a background (professional or volunteer) in psychology/mental health/substance use, transitional housing, re‑entry, public safety, or law.
- If the board’s membership does not meet these requirements at any time, every candidate recommended for appointment must possess at least one of the listed qualifications.
Parole conditions and decision standards
- Prohibits ordering parole conditions unless each condition specifically addresses characteristics of the person and the crime and is shown (by clear and convincing evidence) to have a rehabilitative effect or to serve a legitimate public safety goal based on current recidivism and rehabilitation research.
Data collection, reporting, and transparency
- Requires the parole board to collect and publish (in its annual statistical report) disaggregated data including (but not limited to):
- Number of parole violations, revocations, and technical violations disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and violation type;
- Number returned to custody for preliminary hearings on alleged technical violations and those returned after final revocation hearings;
- Disciplinary infractions after parole grant;
- Counts of eligible individuals who forego the parole process vs. pursue a parole permit, by race/ethnicity;
- Average timelines (eligibility → hearing → board decision → actual release), disaggregated by race/ethnicity/gender and by facility/sentence type;
- Percent granted a permit but not released; percent taken into custody before a revocation hearing; percent revoked and returned for technical violations not associated with criminal activity.
- The Department of Correction and houses of correction must collect and publish race/ethnicity data on their employees in the DOC annual report.
Decisions, records, and hearings
- The parole board must issue a detailed record of decision for all cases (including non‑life sentences) that explains the facts and rationale for approval or denial. If denied, the record must include clear instructions on how to improve parole candidacy.
- For every person eligible for parole, the board must conduct a public hearing no later than 90 days before the parole eligibility date. Hearings granting parole shall be before a panel of at least six board members.
- The board must issue its record of decision no later than 30 days before the parole eligibility date.
Who is affected
- Individuals incarcerated in Massachusetts correctional institutions and houses of correction who are eligible for parole.
- The Massachusetts Parole Board (structure, staffing, and procedures).
- The Department of Correction and local jail/houses of correction (data collection/reporting duties).
- Victims, advocates, attorneys, and communities impacted by parole hearings and decisions (via public hearings and reporting).
Procedural status and timeline
- Filed in the Senate as Senate Docket No. 2071 on 1/17/2025 by Sen. Adam Gómez.
- References indicate similar matter filed previously (House No. 1805, 2023–2024).
- Current status in the provided materials: docketed in the Senate Judiciary; legislative action dates vary in supplied documents. (If you want, I can check the current bill status on the Massachusetts legislature website and provide updated hearing/council actions.)
Potential impacts and considerations
- Increases board diversity of expertise and lived experience, potentially affecting parole decision-making and conditions.
- Imposes specific timelines for hearings and decisions that could change scheduling/prioritization of cases.
- Expands administrative workload for data collection, reporting, and drafting detailed decisions; may require additional staff or resources.
- Enhances transparency and creates a data foundation to monitor racial/ethnic disparities and systemic issues in parole outcomes.
If you want: I can (a) produce a side‑by‑side comparison to the prior statute, (b) summarize the Idaho S.1128 water infrastructure bill from the materials, or (c) fetch and include the bill’s current legislative status from the Massachusetts legislative website.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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