The bill aims to enhance the reporting requirements for Massachusetts Sheriffs' Offices concerning the population of jails and houses of correction. It mandates that sheriffs collect and report specific data points for each individual committed, including identifiers such as probation central file number, state identification number, race and ethnicity, as well as details about their admission and release. The bill requires the compilation of aggregate data into a quarterly report submitted to state officials, ensuring that no identifying information about individual inmates is included. Additionally, it introduces definitions for key data points and notes the limitations of the Sheriffs' Offices in reporting certain data, such as case disposition and bail information, which are maintained by the Trial Court.

Furthermore, the bill proposes amendments to existing laws to improve the management of inmate admissions and releases, particularly focusing on the collection of detailed racial and ethnic classifications. It introduces new legal language that specifies categories such as "Black/African American," "White," "Hispanic/Latino," and "Other/Unknown," thereby enhancing the granularity of demographic data collected. The bill also removes outdated provisions that may have restricted demographic data collection, aiming to improve transparency and accountability within the correctional system. By standardizing definitions and categories for data collection, the bill seeks to address disparities in the criminal justice system and inform policy decisions based on comprehensive demographic insights.