WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 1660

Relates to acknowledging that the institution of slavery was an appalling tragedy in the history of this state

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 2 co-sponsors

Guarantees LGBTQI+ incarcerated people access to health care, HIV prevention/treatment, safe housing, and a dedicated LGBTQI+ coordinator to oversee programs.

REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 1660

Summary — S.1660: “An Act to promote rehabilitation including guaranteed health, treatment, and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ People”

Status and procedural timeline
- Introduced/Filed: Filed 01/10/2025; docketed as Senate No. 1660. Reported as introduced in the 194th General Court (2025–2026). Presented by Senator Julian Cyr.
- Recent actions: Read twice and referred (05/07/2025); multiple committee referrals listed (Investigations and Government Operations; Public Safety and Homeland Security; Small Business and Entrepreneurship). A public hearing was scheduled for 06/26/2025. (Record shows some entries on 01/13/2025, 02/27/2025, 05/07/2025 — see official legislative record for current status.)
- Sponsors/related: Sponsor list provided includes Christopher A. Coons (primary), John Curtis, Liz Krueger, Jamaal Bailey, Kevin S. Parker. Related bills and prior-session versions are listed (e.g., S.1374, S.5646, HR 3239 companion).

Purpose
- To establish protections, health care access, housing and safety accommodations, and rehabilitative support specifically for incarcerated people who are LGBTQI+ in Massachusetts correctional facilities.

Key provisions
1. New statutory definitions (added to chapters 125 and 127)
- “Consensual” clarified to exclude relations between correctional staff and incarcerated persons.
- “General Population” defined to ensure that units designated general population provide meaningful access to out-of-cell time, yard/gym, law library, religious services, visitation (including contact visits), telephones/video visits, opportunities to earn wages/good time, canteen access, and personal property — and must not impose conditions similar to restrictive housing.
- “Incarcerated Person” and “LGBTQI+” defined.

  1. LGBTQI+ coordinator (amendment to sec. 13, ch.125)

    • Each state and county correctional facility must designate one staff member as an LGBTQI+ coordinator (distinct from the PREA officer).
    • Duties include ensuring housing compatibility standards, coordinating education/employment/program placement for LGBTQI+ incarcerated people, supporting self-facilitated LGBTQ+ groups/leisure activities, ensuring certain periodicals (HIV-related and LGBTQI+ community) are available in institutional libraries, and related responsibilities.

  2. HIV prevention and treatment access (new sections in ch.127)

    • Facilities must provide, at no cost, medication to prevent HIV transmission (clinically appropriate; request kept confidential between medical provider and incarcerated person and not shared with security/administrative staff).
    • Individuals prescribed HIV prevention or treatment medication must receive a 30-day supply upon release.
    • Individuals prescribed HIV treatment may keep medication on their person or in-cell to enable regular dosing.

  3. Intake disclosures and data

    • At intake, incarcerated people may voluntarily disclose sexual orientation and gender identity; disclosure may occur later as well.
    • Access to this sensitive information is limited to the LGBTQI+ coordinator and designated staff; aggregated, non-identifying annual reports on voluntary disclosures must be published per facility.
    • Intake also provides an opportunity to voluntarily disclose homophobic/transphobic sentiments; anyone who discloses, is reported to harbor, or demonstrates such sentiments shall not be housed with someone who identifies as LGBTQI+. Disclosure or nondisclosure cannot be punished. Information under this provision cannot be shared with Department of Probation or Parole Board.

  4. Additional sections

    • The bill adds further corrections-related sections (e.g., a Section 32B was introduced in the draft) but the publicly available excerpt is truncated; consult the full bill text for complete language.

Who is affected
- Primary: incarcerated people in Massachusetts state and county correctional facilities, especially those who identify as LGBTQI+ and persons living with or at risk for HIV.
- Secondary: Department of Correction, county sheriffs, facility staff (new coordinator role), medical providers, and supervision agencies (limited by confidentiality provisions).

Implementation and potential impacts
- Operational changes: designation and training of LGBTQI+ coordinators; modification of intake procedures and records access; housing assignment protocols to separate persons with homophobic/transphobic behaviors from LGBTQI+ incarcerated people; ensuring medical provision (PrEP/ART) and discharge medication supplies; library acquisitions and support for self-led groups.
- Costs: staffing (coordinator position), medication costs, training, and administrative/reporting costs. Fiscal impact is not specified in the bill text.
- Privacy and safety: the bill emphasizes confidentiality for HIV medication requests and limits data access, while requiring separation for safety without criminalizing disclosures.

Notes and next steps
- The bill text in the provided excerpt is partially truncated in places; readers should consult the official bill file for the full, current text and any amendments.
- Monitor scheduled hearings, committee reports, and fiscal analyses for details on implementation, costs, and any amendments.

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

Sign in to ask a question.