An Act to Promote Public Safety and Better Outcomes for Young Adults - H.1710 - S.942
In Massachusetts, the civil age of majority is 18 years of age, this means that any individuals who are 18 years of age and older are treated as adults in the criminal justice system. Raising the age of criminal majority to 21 years of age would recognize the potential for measures that would help support the individuals which would establish educational and rehabilitative measures rather than punitive ones. This would begin to tackle mass incarceration in the state and dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. According to Citizens for Juvenile Justice (CFJJ), Black teenage boys in America are 12.4 times more likely to be incarcerated in adult corrections than those who are white. This exacerbates racial and economic disparities in our communities by systematically stripping young Black boys of educational and economic opportunities. The legislature has the power to enact an act to Promote Public Safety and Better Outcomes for Young Adults which would ensure that young people who are incarcerated can participate in rehabilitation and educational programs that aren’t accessible in the adult correctional system.
"Sent to study"; S2926, H5032
Reporting date extended to July 31, 2024
Reporting date extended to June 30, 2024
Reporting date extended to Tuesday April 30, 2024
Bill re-introduced as H.1710
Hearing held by the Judiciary Committee
Reporting date extended to June 30th, 2022
Sent to study (Study Order: H.5173)
Reporting date extended to April 15th, 2022
Hearing held by the Judiciary Committee
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary