The bill amends Massachusetts General Laws, specifically Chapter 126, Section 40, to enhance the reporting requirements for jails and houses of correction, particularly focusing on the Essex County jail system. It introduces a new Quarterly Population Report that will compile aggregate data on the population of each facility while ensuring that individual inmate identities remain confidential. Sheriffs are required to submit these reports quarterly to state officials, including the secretary of public safety and security and relevant legislative committee chairs. The bill also establishes new definitions for key data points, such as the Probation Central File Number and State Identification Number, and emphasizes the limitations of data collected from the Trial Court regarding case disposition and bail amounts.

Additionally, the bill mandates the inclusion of demographic data, specifically race and ethnicity, in the records of admissions and releases from correctional facilities, aiming to improve transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system. It proposes the deletion of outdated legal language that may obstruct effective data collection, thereby streamlining the legal framework. By enhancing the tracking of demographic information and refining reporting standards, the bill seeks to address disparities in the treatment of different racial and ethnic groups, ultimately contributing to more informed policy decisions and better resource allocation within the correctional system.