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S 156

Relates to awards made to crime victims

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Jackson and 6 co-sponsors

Creates a 21-member commission to study and improve diversion, treatment, and policy for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the criminal justice system.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · S 156

Summary — S.156 (Resolve establishing a special commission on the treatment of intellectually and developmentally disabled offenders)

Status: Referred to Governmental Operations
Introduced: January 21, 2025
Report deadline: Commission to file report by July 31, 2026

Purpose / Intent

This resolve creates a 21‑member special commission to study how individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are treated by the criminal justice system and to recommend alternatives to arrest and incarceration. The commission is charged with identifying gaps and proposing policy, programmatic, training, and statutory changes to improve outcomes and reduce criminal justice involvement for people with I/DD and related pervasive mental health conditions.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a special commission (21 members) co‑chaired by:
    • Secretary of Health and Human Services (or designee), and
    • Secretary of Public Safety and Security (or designee).
  • Required membership includes state agency commissioners (Developmental Services, Mental Health), legislative committee chairs, legislative appointees, chief law‑enforcement and prosecution association designees (Sheriffs’ Association, District Attorneys’ Association, Chiefs of Police), chief counsel of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (or designee), and representatives from a set of disability advocacy and service organizations (e.g., The Arc of Massachusetts, Disability Law Center, Disability Policy Consortium, Center for Public Representation, Dignity Alliance Massachusetts), an autism organization representative (governor’s appointment), and a clinician experienced with I/DD in criminal justice (governor’s appointment).
  • Scope of study must include, at minimum:
    • Existing diversion options and other alternatives to incarceration for individuals with I/DD;
    • Recommendations to improve the process by which people with disabilities are placed (presumably into appropriate diversion, treatment or civil placements);
    • Techniques to identify individuals at risk due to developmental/intellectual disabilities or pervasive mental health conditions (screening/assessment methods);
    • Techniques, services, and resources to prevent exacerbation of disabilities and related behavioral/mental health crises.
  • Deliverables: a written report with findings, recommendations, and draft legislation necessary to implement recommendations, filed with the House and Senate clerks by July 31, 2026.

Who would be affected

  • People with intellectual and developmental disabilities who intersect with the criminal justice system (police contact, arrest, prosecution, incarceration).
  • Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, public defenders, sheriffs, courts, and corrections.
  • State agencies that provide services to persons with I/DD and behavioral health needs (e.g., Departments of Developmental Services and Mental Health).
  • Disability advocacy groups and service providers, who are represented on the commission and would likely be involved in implementing recommended changes.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced January 21, 2025. Legislative history entries indicate the resolve was reported favorably in committee, passed the Senate on May 13, 2025, and was delivered to the House/Assembly and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations.
  • A public hearing was scheduled for September 9, 2025 (per provided actions).
  • Final commission report and draft implementing legislation are due July 31, 2026.

Potential impacts

  • Short term: centralized review and coordinated recommendations could identify immediate practice and training changes (law enforcement screening, diversion protocols).
  • Medium to long term: if the commission’s draft legislation is enacted, it could change arrest/diversion procedures, funding priorities, placement processes, and interagency coordination—potentially reducing criminalization of disability‑related behaviors and improving access to treatment and supports.

Note: The bill text indicates the petitioners/presenters include Senator Joan B. Lovely and others. Some sponsor information in the provided metadata appears inconsistent with the Massachusetts resolve (names of federal legislators appear in the sponsor list); the summary above follows the text and resolve language as filed in the Massachusetts Senate.

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

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