Age of Criminal Majority to 21

An Act to Promote Public Safety and Better Outcomes for Young Adults - H.1710 - S.942

  • Gradually raise the upper age for delinquency and youth offender cases to include 18-20 year olds, ensuring that they are not charged as adults

  • Ensure that young people who are incarcerated are able to participate in impactful rehabilitative programs that are not available in the adult correctional system

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.

the decision makers

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Who on committee has co-sponsored:

state senators:

James Eldridgered x
James Eldridge (D)
Acton

chair

Lydia Edwardsred x
Lydia Edwards (D)
Boston

chair

Cynthia Creemgreen check
Cynthia Creem (D)
Newton
John Velisred x
John Velis (D)
Westfield
Patrick O'Connorred x
Patrick O'Connor (R)
Weymouth
Anne Gobired x
Anne Gobi (D)
Spencer

state representatives:

Michael Dayred x
Michael Day (D)
Stoneham

chair

Christine Barberred x
Christine Barber (D)
Somerville

chair

Colleen Garryred x
Colleen Garry (D)
Dracut
Christopher Markeyred x
Christopher Markey (D)
Dartmouth
Brandy Fluker-Oakleyred x
Brandy Fluker-Oakley (D)
Daniel Careyred x
Daniel Carey (D)
Easthampton
Christopher Hendricksred x
Christopher Hendricks (D)
New Bedford
Adam Scanlonred x
Adam Scanlon (D)
Rita Mendesred x
Rita Mendes (D)
Brockton
Peter Durantred x
Peter Durant (R)
Spencer
Alyson Sullivanred x
Alyson Sullivan (R)
Abington

Who has co-sponsored:

History of the bill

2025

Feb 2024

Reporting date extended to Tuesday April 30, 2024

2024

Jan 2023

Bill re-introduced as H.1710

Sep 2023

Hearing held by the Judiciary Committee

2023

Apr 2022

Reporting date extended to June 30th, 2022

Oct 2022

Sent to study (Study Order: H.5173)

Feb 2022

Reporting date extended to April 15th, 2022

2022

Oct 2021

Hearing held by the Judiciary Committee

Mar 2021

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

2021

Advocacy Organizations

NASW
Citizens for Juvenile Justice