The bill amends Massachusetts General Laws, specifically Chapter 126, Section 40, to enhance the reporting requirements for jails and houses of correction. It introduces a new section titled "Overview of Quarterly Population Report for the Individual Massachusetts Sheriffs' Offices," which mandates sheriffs to record and report detailed data for each individual committed to their facilities, including identifiers such as probation central file number, state identification number, race and ethnicity, and offense-based tracking number. The reports must be aggregated quarterly and submitted to public safety officials without identifying information about individual inmates. Additionally, the bill includes new definitions for critical data points and emphasizes the importance of tracking earned time credits for inmates, which can reduce their sentences based on good behavior.

Furthermore, the bill seeks to streamline the management and reporting of inmate data, particularly focusing on the collection of demographic information, including race and ethnicity. It introduces new legal language that specifies the inclusion of individuals identified as "Other/Unknown" in racial and ethnic classifications, thereby enhancing the accuracy of data collection. The bill also aims to remove outdated legal language that may hinder effective data management and improve the overall quality of data collected by correctional facilities. By promoting transparency and accountability in the correctional system, the proposed changes reflect a commitment to addressing systemic issues and ensuring equitable treatment for all individuals involved.