Provides for a right to representation by counsel for certain actions of the parole board

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare

The bill changes POST Commission to 11 members and adds appointed seats for prosecutors, a State Police rep, and a Juvenile Diversion professional.

REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION

Overview / Purpose

S.1644 would amend Section 2 of Chapter 6E of the Massachusetts General Laws to change the statutory membership composition of the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission. The stated change replaces the current opening sentence of Section 2 to establish an 11-member Commission and adds several specifically appointed seats. The objective is to modify who has formal representation on the POST Commission — the state body that sets training and professional standards for law enforcement in Massachusetts.

Key Provisions

Replaces the first sentence of Section 2, Chapter 6E with a new sentence: “There shall be a Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission consisting of 11 members.”

Adds specific appointment authorities to the first paragraph’s last sentence, creating or formally recognizing the following seats:

2 members appointed by the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association.
1 sworn member of the Massachusetts State Police, appointed from a list of two nominations submitted by the President of the State Police Association of Massachusetts.
1 Juvenile Diversion Program professional, appointed from a list of two nominations approved by a majority of the Board of the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association.

Who or What Is Affected

The POST Commission’s membership and, by extension, its deliberations and decisions about police training, certification, policies, and standards.

Appointing organizations: Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association and the State Police Association of Massachusetts gain formal roles in nominating or appointing commissioners.

Juvenile diversion programs gain direct professional representation on the Commission.

Municipal and state law enforcement agencies and communities impacted by POST standards could see influence from the newly included appointing bodies.

Procedural Status & Timeline

Filed as Senate Docket No. 1968 on 1/17/2025; presented by Senator Nick Collins (First Suffolk).

Legislative actions provided show introduction and referrals in 2025 (including referrals to committees such as Crime Victims, Crime and Correction; Public Safety and Homeland Security), and a hearing scheduled for 09/10/2025.

Current status listed as "REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION."

Potential Impact

Shifts membership balance of POST by formalizing nominations/appointments from prosecutorial and state police organizations and adding juvenile diversion expertise. This can affect policy priorities (e.g., training emphases, juvenile justice approaches, oversight practices).

Could increase prosecutorial and state police institutional influence on standards-setting, while adding a voice for juvenile diversion practice.

Notes / Data Anomalies

Some provided metadata (title, sponsor lists) appear inconsistent with the bill text. The bill text and petition identify Senator Nick Collins as the petitioner and address POST Commission membership. Other listed sponsors (federal senators) likely do not pertain to this Massachusetts state bill. The summary above follows the bill text as filed (Section 2, Chapter 6E changes).

Bill