The bill amends Massachusetts General Laws, specifically Chapter 126, Section 40, to enhance the reporting requirements for sheriffs regarding the population of jails and houses of correction. It introduces a new overview section for the Quarterly Population Report, mandating that sheriffs collect detailed data for each individual committed to their facilities, including identifiers such as probation central file numbers, state identification numbers, race and ethnicity, and offense-based tracking numbers. The reports must be aggregated quarterly and submitted to key public safety officials without any identifying information about individual inmates. Additionally, the bill includes new definitions for critical data points and notes the limitations of sheriffs' offices in reporting certain data points, such as case disposition and bail information, which are maintained by the Trial Court.

Furthermore, the bill proposes amendments to improve the classification and reporting of individuals in the Essex County jail system, specifically focusing on the inclusion of various racial and ethnic categories in the documentation of admissions and releases. It removes outdated legal language that may have previously limited the scope of demographic reporting, aiming to provide a more accurate representation of the diverse population within the jail system. By streamlining the reporting process and emphasizing accurate demographic data collection, the legislation seeks to enhance transparency and accountability, ultimately supporting efforts to address disparities in treatment and outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups within the criminal justice system.