Transcript Highlights:

• Help from the DA's office, and I'd be remiss not to recognize former Harris County DA Kim Bogg, who's
• And as Kim's former DA Og, I've known her for years as well.
• The way it's written right now, it says, hey, a DA can appeal, right?
• It's about time for DAs to, for their report card to be checked as well. Now, I am.
• unintended violation. positive benefit to make everybody accountable, not just judges, but elected DAs

Bills: SB9 , SB1047 , SB1048 , SJR17 , SJR49 , SB40 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 1

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• These two upstanding citizens are leaders from the Azores, and it's Lajes das Flores, a sister city to
• But we're so honored to share the ties between Stoughton and Lajes das Flores, our sister cities.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed visiting dignitaries from the Azores, President Beto Vaz Konsalus and Assembly President Rico Virtue Gomush, who were recognized in connection with the sister-city relationship between Lajes das Flores and Stoughton. The presiding senator also noted Stoughton’s 300th anniversary and referenced legislative support for local projects including the block party, community center, and train depot renovation. The chamber then adopted a resolution congratulating Tri-Valley Incorporated on its 50th anniversary. Senators next approved an act validating certain proceedings of the town of Stowe, which required and received a two-thirds vote. The Senate also enacted several local and special bills, including measures related to police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, accidental death benefits for a former Boston firefighter’s spouse, the Longmeadow charter, a means-tested senior property tax exemption for Reading, the Falmouth town clerk position, and affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton. The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees, adopted an order to meet again on Thursday at 11 a.m. in formal session, and agreed to adjourn in memory of Elaine McGuire-Darland. A moment of silence was observed, and the Senate adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former assistant DA in Suffolk County, I just wonder, when you bring these cases to the district
• And then the special commission that DA Tucker mentioned would also look into the relevance of further
• You do want to make sure people realize there's a very high ...from the DA testifying, there are some
• For law enforcement oftentimes, and I will defer to the DA and the police departments that are going
• to be testifying here or did, but a lot of ...the DA and the police departments that are going to be

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several financial services bills, with the main focus on cryptocurrency kiosk regulation, financial literacy, and earned wage access. Legislators and witnesses described widespread crypto-related scams targeting older adults, often involving impersonation, urgency, spoofed phone numbers, and rapid transfers through kiosks that are difficult to trace or recover. Supporters of the kiosk bills said Massachusetts needs licensing, registration, transaction limits, warning notices, receipts, refund protections, and other safeguards; some also urged a “pause” or hold on transactions to give victims time to reconsider and allow law enforcement to intervene. The Attorney General’s office, AARP, local law enforcement, and several prosecutors and sheriffs backed the consumer-protection approach, while Bitcoin Depot supported a narrower regulatory framework but opposed low fee caps and strict daily limits, arguing they would function like a ban and reduce legitimate use. Witnesses from Waltham police, Middlesex and Essex County law enforcement, and the AG’s office said crypto scams are growing quickly, losses are often unrecoverable once funds move, and current tools are limited. They described cases involving elderly victims losing thousands of dollars, and said warnings alone are not enough because scammers keep victims on the phone and guide them through the process. Some witnesses said a temporary hold or refund mechanism has worked in at least one case, while others emphasized that transaction limits and visible disclosures could reduce harm even if they do not stop fraud entirely. The AG’s office also said it would submit written opposition to separate earned wage advance legislation, while DailyPay testified in support of that bill, saying earned wage access helps workers bridge short-term gaps without debt or credit reporting. The committee also heard support for mandatory financial literacy education from Representative Jim Hawkins, who said high school students need instruction on credit, debt, and inflation before they enter adulthood. In addition, the committee took testimony on litigation financing bills from insurance industry representatives, who argued for disclosure and regulation of predatory litigation lending and warned about foreign interference and reduced plaintiff recoveries. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; members asked questions throughout, and the chair noted the need to move testimony along because of time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Claire Howington from the 16th District Attorney's Office, Jimmy Lestage from Beauregard DA.
• Jimmy Laetigue, Beauregard DA; W.
• Andy Shealy, 16th JDC; Jefferson Parish DA; Darren Alamond; Perry Nicosia. Did I get that right?
• D.A., 34th; Billy Joe Harrington, DA, 10th; Zachary T.
• into the 328 statutes and individually amending each of them, this proposed legislation allows the DA

Bills: HB36 , HB52 , HB56 , HB68 , HB92 , HB119 , HB140 , HB147 , HB160 , HB171 , HB289 , HB351 , HB552 , HB784

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: HB 52, Act 192, Louisiana criminal procedure, misdemeanor jury trial, six-person jury, bench trial, trial without jury, Article 779, Code of Criminal Procedure, criminal justice, defendant rights, retroactive application, prospective application, fine threshold, court procedure, misdemeanor prosecution, driving, impaired, fines, legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Institutional Bond Act, property taxes, levies, federal and tribal support, student fees, da-da-da-da-da-da-da

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Institutional Bond Act, property taxes, levies, federal and tribal support, student fees, da-da-da-da-da-da-da

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Summary: The House convened for a special American Indian Day celebration, with prayers, flag citations, a Navajo national anthem, and many members introducing tribal leaders, students, veterans, and community guests. Speakers emphasized Native sovereignty, government-to-government relations, cultural preservation, education, and the importance of representation in state government. The Speaker announced plans for a future tribal summit to discuss funding, capital, and policy priorities with tribes and nations. After the celebration, the House received executive messages, including gubernatorial authorization for new bills and notice that House Bill 9 had been signed into law. Committee reports were adopted on several measures, including House Bills 128, 285, 20, 52, 57, 58, 206, 109, 38, 66, 178, 198, 202, 224, 257, 103, and 247, with several health-related bills advanced via committee substitutes and referred onward. The House also adopted House Memorial 32 and enrolled House Bill 50 with a certificate of correction. On the floor, House Joint Resolution 1, as amended, passed 67-0. The resolution would create nominating committees for certain constitutionally named institutions, require no single party majority on those committees, and shift the student regent appointment to an elected student government body; members discussed the one-year party-registration requirement and the timing of implementing legislation. House Bill 8, which creates and funds the Major Capital Projects Fund for higher education projects, was then debated at length over its graduation-rate criteria and waiver provisions, and an amendment was offered to require Higher Education Department waiver findings to be reported to and approved by the State Board of Finance for added oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what worries me about this is we're not funding a lot of these particular DA offices or courts or
• A huge burden on these DAs and these prosecutors to get this stuff in the queue.
• In making the DA do their job, how is that going to help with what you currently have in your area?
• But currently in the situation, this doesn't force the DA to do their job.
• But currently in the situation, this doesn't force the DA to do their job.

Bills: SB41 , SB33 , SB32 , SB30

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, individualized treatment, investigational treatment, health care, life-threatening illness, patient rights, physician recommendation, informed consent, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child protection, prosecution, crime amendments, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• And the one thing we want to mention is that the DAs have an opportunity.
• There's the option for the DA to make the argument to the judge.
• And the one thing we want to mention is that the DAs have an opportunity.
• There's the option for the opportunity for the DA to make the argument to the judge.
• But there are times DAs choose not to.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We think that the effectiveness of this bill rests solely on the ability of the DAS to prosecute it and
• I think that the DAS and the multiple jurisdictions, not only within Wyoming, but kind of surrounding
• had this in the interim, I asked quite a few law enforcement people I ran into, talked to our local DA
• Chairman, members of the committee, our local DA, and, you know, this could be handy for them.

Bills: SF0007 , SF0008

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• DAS is requesting on behalf of DHS to grant an electrical utility line easement to a facility currently
• Uh<00:23:44.720><c> DAS</c><00:23:45.600><c> uh</c><00:23:45.760><c> is</c><00:23:46.000><c> requesting
• 23:46.400><c> on</c><00:23:46.640><c> behalf</c><00:23:46.880><c> of</c><00:23:47.120><c> DHS</c> Uh DAS
• uh is requesting on behalf of DHS Uh DAS uh is requesting on behalf of DHS uh<00:23:48.320><c> to</c

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met and approved the minutes from June 30, 2025. There was no old business. The committee then heard a series of New Hampshire Department of Transportation requests involving the sale or disposal of state-owned land and easements, including an access point sale in Exeter, land sales in Keene, Guilford, Lincoln, Conway, Chesterfield, Fremont, Belmont, and a utility easement in Albany. Most items were direct sales to abutters or towns, with conditions such as obtaining local and state approvals, commissioning boundary surveys, and paying administrative fees; each of these items was approved by motion and vote. One Guilford parcel was amended to reflect a smaller surveyed area and reduced appraised value before approval. The committee also approved a permanent access easement for a single-family residence on Route 153 in support of the Bickford property. The committee then considered a Department of Administrative Services item, presented as a substitution replacement, authorizing a perpetual utility line easement to Public Service Company of New Hampshire for a facility under construction on the Hampstead hospital property that will serve as the replacement facility for the Manchester senior center. The department requested waiver of the administrative fee because the easement was being granted in exchange for utility service, and the committee approved the request. An informational item, LRCP25-038, was discussed regarding a reduction in fair market value due to a change in access; staff explained no committee action was required because the item was informational only. Additional informational materials from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development were received, including meeting minutes and surplus land review memorandums for Meredith and Hampstead. Before adjourning, the committee set its next meeting for December 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, noting the meeting would be on a Tuesday rather than Monday because of building scheduling. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• DA Brian Middleton, a Democrat from Fort Bend County, has also signed on. many other district attorneys
• And especially when you look at DAs from Dallas County, Fort Bend County, this is a bipartisan bill.
• judges had made the appropriate decision and had this tool, I believe those people And I think every DA

Bills: SJR5 , SJR36 , SJR5 , SJR5 , SR105 , SR121 , SB17 , SB19 , SB25 , SB28 , SB17 , SB19 , SB25 , SB28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• It was when I was a DA. We'll look that up. It was a while ago. It was when I was a DA.
• I wasn't a legislator then; I was a DA at that time. But I don't know if you found the answer.
• And every single DA, as we stated, every single DA I presented it to was like that would make a huge
• I think that you would be surprised that DAs aren't necessarily going after those people.
• I have our DA from my county.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 25, which would prohibit a juvenile who committed a firearm-related delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult from legally owning or possessing a firearm for 10 years after disposition. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address serious youth gun violence without lengthening juvenile sentences or unsealing records, and they emphasized that the substitute language was meant to clarify, not change, the bill’s intent. Support came from law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, CYFD, and business interests, while opponents including the Public Defender, ACLU, and criminal defense advocates argued it conflicts with juvenile-code principles, creates civil disabilities based on juvenile conduct, and could raise Second Amendment and sealing-record concerns. Members raised extensive questions about how the NICS background-check process would work, what offenses would qualify, whether the measure would apply retroactively, and how sealed juvenile records and pardons would be handled. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided; members discussed possibly working on the language further in Judiciary or tabling it. The committee then took up House Bill 15, the Medical Injury and Collaborative Resolution Act, described by the sponsor as New Mexico’s version of a candor law. The bill would create a protected adverse outcome conference process allowing patients and providers to discuss medical injuries or undesirable outcomes outside of court, with the goal of improving communication, giving patients answers, and reducing litigation. A family medicine doctor and a trial lawyer testified in support, saying patients often want explanations more than money and that open conversations can sometimes resolve disputes early. Public commenters also supported the concept, though one noted concerns about how pro se litigants would fit into the process. Committee questions focused on how the bill would define injury, how confidentiality would be enforced, whether statements could be used in court, who would pay for the process, and how it would interact with existing malpractice procedures. The sponsors said the conference would be voluntary, not require an apology, and would be protected by evidentiary rules; if protected statements were introduced at trial, they said remedies such as mistrial could apply. The discussion continued into procedural details, but no final action on HB 15 appears in the provided portion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a deputy DA from San Diego County.
• So this, for the DA from San Diego, yes.
• So this, for the DA from San Diego. Yes.
• The main concern we have, and we agree with the DAs, is about the empirical data.
• The main concern, we have several concerns that we agree with the DAs. We appreciate it.

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a deputy DA from San Diego County.
• So this, for the DA from San Diego—yes.
• In the same county, DAs are restricting the use of data that was produced for one case to be used in
• County estimated no less than $81,000 in DA resources being consumed per case, just for discovery alone
• The main concern, we have several concerns that we agree with the DAs, we appreciate it.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> The section 83 is DA payment reform of the designated agencies.
• At 40%, some of these DAs couldn't get through their fiscal year.
• 00:48:02.400><c> through</c><00:48:02.640><c> their</c> these DAs couldn't get through their these DAs
• DAS, which are all of the um mental DAS, which are all of the um mental health<00:52:21.280><c> organizations
• It won't be a surprise to the DAS that the state wants this data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, you have to, in that statute, have the DA and the responding law enforcement agency investigate
• They are, but that's also why you have the component of the law enforcement and DA that is investigating
• They'll talk to it earlier about this instance where the security guard shot somebody and the DA... .
• ..talked about earlier about this instance where the security guard shot somebody and the DA and law
• Other systems in this state—firefighters, parochial employees, sheriffs, DAs—have been able to enforce

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Summary: The committee first approved the May 5 minutes and then heard House Bill 578, which would define sex in Louisiana law as biological sex, replace references to gender with sex in various statutes and forms, and direct the Law Institute to make conforming changes. Supporters from the governor’s office said the bill would bring clarity and consistency, while opponents argued it could create conflicts with existing law and weaken protections tied to gender identity. After debate, the committee reported HB 578 favorably. Members then considered House Bill 1250, a measure aimed at aerospace-related litigation. The bill would allow a special motion to strike certain claims against aerospace flight entities when the claims are preempted by federal law. Senators raised concerns that the language was broad enough to affect airports, airlines, contractors, and even unrelated incidents, and the author said he was willing to work on narrowing amendments. The committee nevertheless reported HB 1250 favorably. House Bill 718, dealing with liability protections for private airstrips used for recreation, was amended to narrow its scope and then reported favorably, while House Bill 163, a narrower related airstrip bill, was voluntarily deferred so the committee could work from the other measure. The committee also approved House Concurrent Resolution 61, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to review possible conflicts between the constitution and statutes on expropriation. House Bill 180, defining foreign adversaries and agents of foreign adversaries for a proposed constitutional amendment, and House Bill 192, a constitutional amendment barring foreign adversaries from expropriating land in Louisiana, were both reported favorably. House Bill 1008, which sets out academic freedom and whistleblower protections for higher education, was rejected on a roll-call vote after concerns about its scope and limits on university discipline. House Bill 638, a prompt-payment bill for contractors, was set aside while amendments were being located. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 71, which would extend existing liability protections for justified use of force to properly trained armed security guards. The author and the Board of Private Security Examiners said security officers receive training and often face dangerous situations, but opponents argued the bill would give too much protection to personnel with far less training than law enforcement and could shield bad shootings. After debate, the committee voted to defer HB 71. The last measure discussed was House Bill 1082, which would change venue rules for lawsuits involving the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System so actions by the system would be filed where the employer is located; the author said the bill was meant to help small municipalities, and members indicated they were open to narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also gives the DA the ability to object to the reassignment of the waiver of jury trial if it is being
• So I know we've had DA Williams in here before, but he brought this to our attention and asked us to
• realotment, so the process of moving from one courtroom to another in this instance, is triggered by a DA
• So by allowing the DA to decide whether or not it can stay with one judge or another judge, it's actually
• an outlier because in almost all states and definitely in the states where there is a requirement of DA

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 137, which would strengthen penalties for knowingly making threats against schools, school activities, students, or school employees. The author said the bill responds to repeated false threats that disrupt schools, frighten families, and divert law enforcement, and it adds education and parental acknowledgment requirements. Members discussed possible juvenile consequences such as public service or physical work at schools, and the bill drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, and Catholic bishops. It was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 321 followed, addressing Louisiana’s Safe Harbor law by expressly exempting minors from prostitution offenses and treating them as trafficking victims rather than offenders. The author, clergy, trafficking advocates, and a survivor testified that children involved in commercial sex are typically coerced, groomed, or controlled by traffickers, often family members or caregivers, and should receive protection and services instead of arrest. Witnesses described statewide advocacy and crisis-response services created in 2022, and committee members asked about prosecution of perpetrators and the prevalence of trafficking in rural areas. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved House Bill 1246, a response to a fatal drunk-driving crash involving Jada Bright, which would allow law enforcement to keep intoxicated offenders in jail if they are not safe to release. An amendment was adopted to clean up the language, and the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 1104, creating a misdemeanor for possession of motor vehicle key-programming or emulating devices used to steal cars, also passed favorably with support from prosecutors and police. House Bill 552, a cleanup measure replacing references to intoxication with impairment in prior drug-related statutes, was reported favorably as well. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 310, which would require random reassignment when a defendant waives a jury trial in districts with more than two judges, unless the prosecutor agrees otherwise. Supporters said it would prevent judge shopping and address concerns about unusually high acquittal rates before particular judges, while opponents argued it raises due process concerns and effectively lets prosecutors choose the judge. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The last major item was House Bill 1107, dealing with post-conviction death penalty cases involving claims of intellectual disability; the bill would set a 75 IQ threshold and create procedures for Atkins claims. Supporters said it would bring finality to long-pending capital cases and follow U.S. Supreme Court guidance, while opponents argued it would be unconstitutional under Atkins, Moore, and Hall because intellectual disability cannot be reduced to a single number. After extensive testimony and debate over amendments, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also gives the DA the ability to object to the reassignment of the waiver of jury trial if it is being
• So I know we've had DA Williams in here before, but he brought this to our attention and asked us to
• realotment, so the process of moving from one courtroom to another in this instance, is triggered by a DA
• So by allowing the DA to decide whether or not it can stay with one judge or another judge, it's actually
• an outlier because in almost all states and definitely in the states where there is a requirement of DA

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who have gotten positive parole votes, and the DA has cleared them.
• So the process, the DAs look at individuals six months to their defined release date.
• That is when we submit all the information, the Department of Correction, to the DAs.
• So Code C are people who are not looking at a parole date, or the DA is still reviewing the possibility
• of civil commitment, or the DA has decided they're going to be civilly committed.

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 to continue its review of DOC classification practices, with Senator Brownsberger and Representative Hunt co-chairing. After brief discussion of the prior hearing, members said there would likely be another opportunity for additional testimony, including possible video testimony from people inside facilities. The main presentation for the day was DOC’s classification system and a UMass Chan study of whether the system predicts institutional misconduct and whether overrides affect its accuracy or create racial/ethnic bias. DOC officials described the objective point-based classification system, its history, and the role of discretionary and non-discretionary overrides. They said the system is designed to balance public safety and reintegration, with initial classification emphasizing offense history and reclassification emphasizing institutional adjustment. DOC reported that, in the current population, about 16% are classified to maximum security, 74% to medium, and 10% to lower security. They also reviewed the non-discretionary restrictions that keep people out of minimum or medium security, and said discretionary overrides are used less often than the National Institute of Corrections’ suggested ceiling and are reviewed within six months. UMass Chan researchers said their analysis used historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on about 7,600 male reclassification cases, and found that the scored custody level accurately predicted institutional misconduct. They said the tool performed well on standard statistical measures, but predictive accuracy declined after overrides were applied, with overlap appearing between minimum and medium groups. In a supplementary analysis, they said the loss of accuracy was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They also said the study did not find evidence of racial or ethnic bias in the tool itself, and that DOC’s current system is comparatively more lenient than many other states. Members and guests raised concerns about overclassification to medium security, the low share of people in minimum, the role of civil commitment restrictions, and whether the data captured historical bias or individual cases where overrides felt subjective. DOC and UMass Chan responded that the study was group-based, not case-specific, and that minimum-security rates are hard to compare across states because Massachusetts’ prison and county systems differ structurally. The commission did not take a vote or formal action, but asked members to send follow-up data questions by the end of the week for referral to DOC and the researchers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a few cards in support not wishing to speak: Andy Shealy, assistant DA with the 16th Judicial
• We have a few cards in support not wishing to speak: Andy Shealy, assistant DA with the 16th Judicial
• Kathleen Barrios Heap, with the 16th Judicial District Court Attorney; Billy Joe Harrington, 10th JDC DA
• But to the point, the DA can ask the questions, the defense attorney can ask the questions, and they
• I'm an assistant DA in Jefferson Parish.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C