The bill introduces new legal language to enhance the reporting requirements for Massachusetts Sheriffs' Offices regarding the population of jails and houses of correction. It mandates that sheriffs record and report specific data for each individual committed, including identifiers such as probation central file number, state identification number, race and ethnicity, and various details about their admission and release. The bill also requires the creation of a quarterly report that aggregates this data without identifying individual inmates, which must be submitted to various public safety and legislative officials.

Additionally, the bill includes a disclaimer regarding the limitations of the data collected, particularly concerning case disposition and bail information, which are not maintained by the Sheriffs' Offices but rather originate from the Trial Court. The Massachusetts Sheriffs Association is working with the Trial Court and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to refine these metrics for future reporting. The new language emphasizes the importance of accurate data collection and reporting to improve transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system.