Bill
H 2638
Mass. H2638 expands parole duties: pre-release planning, housing/ID support, risk-based case plans, DOC summaries, and stronger community collaboration for post-release success.
Status and procedural basics
- Bill number: House Bill 2638
- Title: An Act to reform parole
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Filed: January 15, 2025
- Committee: Public Safety and Homeland Security
- Current action: Hearing scheduled for June 26, 2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM (Room A-2)
- Legislative actions: Referred to committee on 2025-02-27; Senate concurred; Related House docket HD 1750 (which this bill replaces)
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to reform parole processes and supervision in Massachusetts by restructuring the responsibilities of parole board agents and the Department of Correction (DOC) with a focus on pre-release planning, enhanced community collaboration, and ongoing post-release support.
- Core aims include ensuring viable housing and employment pathways for parolees, improving risk-informed decision making, and strengthening coordination between correctional facilities and community service providers.
Key provisions and changes (substantive content)
1) Parole board agents’ duties (amendment to Section 158, Chapter 127)
- Parole agents must supervise, counsel, and advise parolees in accordance with board rules.
- Agents must:
- Meet with parole-eligible individuals at least 180 days before a release hearing to develop a viable home plan to present at the hearing.
- Engage with community housing providers to build a pool of long-term residential housing, transitional/sober homes, and community-based behavioral health providers.
- Connect with community providers to ensure proper referrals prior to release.
- Participate in monthly facility-level triage meetings with DOC staff.
- Ensure individuals released to parole have a state ID and birth certificate.
2) DOC case summaries for parole-eligible individuals
- The DOC must submit an individual case summary to the parole board for each parole-eligible person, including:
- Detailed incarceration history (offenses, sentence structure, behavior in custody, major disciplinary actions).
- Health, behavioral health, and substance use information; participation in education/treatment/programs and outcomes.
- Identification of moderate to high-need areas and recommended interventions.
- Written recommendations for appropriate community placements prior to the hearing.
3) Risk assessment and case planning after release
- Within 30 business days of release, agents must complete a risk assessment and case plan in collaboration with the parolee and signed by the parolee.
- The plan must address individual factors, identified needs, and social determinants (employment, housing, education, health, behavioral health care).
- Risk assessments shall occur every 6 months; case plans shall be reviewed and modified every 6 months (new case plan if goals are achieved).
- Face-to-face contacts with supervised individuals must be need-based and aligned with the case plan.
- The board must provide support and guidance on job training, education, housing, health, behavioral health treatment, and programming.
Affected parties and impact
- Parole board agents: Expanded duties, more proactive pre-release engagement, and ongoing post-release planning.
- Department of Correction: Must produce detailed case summaries for parole-eligible individuals; coordinate housing, health, and treatment referrals.
- Parole-eligible individuals (inmates approaching release): Receive structured pre-release planning, risk assessments, and continuous post-release support.
- Community providers: Greater involvement as housing, sober living, and behavioral health resources become integral to parole planning.
- Agencies and service providers: Increased collaboration and data-sharing around risk, housing, and treatment needs.
Timeline and next steps
- The bill would affect parole planning and release processes beginning with the pre-release period and continuing through post-release planning and periodic re-assessment (every 6 months).
- Hearing on June 26, 2025, to consider the measure.
Notes
- This bill replaces the first paragraph of Section 158 of Chapter 127 with four new paragraphs detailing the expanded roles and processes.
- Related bill: HD 1750 (replaces this measure).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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