The bill amends Massachusetts General Laws, specifically Chapter 126, Section 40, to enhance the reporting requirements for jails and houses of correction, particularly within the Suffolk County correctional system. It introduces a new section titled "Overview of Quarterly Population Report for the Individual Massachusetts Sheriffs' Offices," which mandates sheriffs to compile and submit quarterly reports detailing various data points for each individual committed to their facilities, including probation central file numbers, state identification numbers, race and ethnicity, and offense-based tracking numbers. The reports must not contain identifying information about individual inmates and are to be submitted to key public safety officials. The bill also includes definitions for critical data points and clarifies that certain data, such as case disposition and bail amounts, are managed by the Trial Court rather than the Sheriffs' Offices.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of accurately tracking demographic information, particularly race and ethnicity, to ensure transparency and accountability in the correctional system. It introduces new legal language that specifies the categorization of inmates based on their racial and ethnic backgrounds, aiming to improve the understanding of disparities within the criminal justice system. The bill also seeks to remove outdated legal language that may hinder effective data collection and reporting. Overall, the proposed changes are intended to foster accountability, improve the management of correctional facilities, and promote equitable treatment of individuals within the justice system.