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 amount of out-of-cell time, with specific provisions for those held for longer durations. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to produce an annual report detailing the status of prisoners in restrictive housing, including demographic information and average out-of-cell time.

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