The proposed bill introduces the "Restrictive Confinement Oversight Act" by adding Chapter 56.4 to Title 42 of the General Laws. This new chapter establishes definitions related to restrictive confinement, including terms such as "basic necessities," "cell," and "disciplinary confinement." It mandates that prisoners in disciplinary confinement receive a minimum of two hours out-of-cell time per day for up to fifteen days, and three hours per day for those held beyond fifteen days, with specific provisions for meaningful social interaction and access to basic necessities.

Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to produce an annual report detailing the status of prisoners in restrictive housing, including demographic information, the nature of infractions leading to confinement, lengths of terms served, and average out-of-cell time.

The bill creates a "restrictive housing oversight committee" within the Public Safety Grant Administration Office, tasked with monitoring the use of restrictive housing. This committee will consist of five members, including individuals with prior experience in restrictive housing and expertise in mental health care. The committee is empowered to appoint an ombudsperson to investigate complaints related to the health, safety, and rights of incarcerated individuals, conduct random biannual inspections of restrictive housing areas, and ensure compliance with relevant statutes. The act is set to take effect on July 25, 2026.