This bill, "Stavri’s Law," requires courts to keep mental health examination and commitment records private, except for specific disclosures. It mandates that courts share limited information with licensing authorities (for firearm background checks), the FBI (for national background checks), and law enforcement (about suicide risk in custody), but only when required by law for those purposes. Crucially, it prohibits sharing records solely because someone sought voluntary treatment or was hospitalized for evaluation. The law affects courts, individuals in mental health proceedings, and law enforcement agencies receiving targeted risk information. It changes how courts handle privacy and data sharing for mental health cases in court custody.
This bill makes it a crime to intentionally or recklessly discharge certain firearms - such as rifles, shotguns, machine guns, or large-capacity weapons - when there's a risk of serious injury to others. It directly affects individuals who fire these weapons without considering the danger to people nearby. The law imposes penalties of up to 5 years in state prison or 2.5 years in a house of correction for violating this provision. The key change is creating a specific criminal offense for reckless firearm discharges that create a "substantial risk" of serious harm.
HD 3228 bans the manufacturing of assault weapons and large capacity feeding devices within Massachusetts. It directly affects manufacturers operating in the state, with exceptions for licensed producers making these items solely for law enforcement, military, or approved foreign government use. The bill prohibits such manufacturing under Chapter 269 of the General Laws, imposing fines of $1,000-$1,000,000 or 1-10 years in prison for violations. This is a substantive policy change targeting firearm production, not a procedural measure.
This bill (HD 1622) increases criminal penalties for illegal firearm sales and possession under Massachusetts law. It raises maximum prison terms, including changing some sentences from "fifteen years" to "life imprisonment" and adding new minimum sentences of "not less than 3 nor more than 10 years" for certain offenses. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of violating firearm laws in Massachusetts. Key changes include raising maximum penalties from 5, 7, 10, and 15 years to 20 years or life, and modifying fine provisions. These are specific sentencing adjustments without new regulatory requirements.
This bill allows individuals with diagnosed depression who feel suicidal to voluntarily give up their right to purchase firearms. People can submit a form at hospitals or emergency facilities (after being assessed by a clinician) to be added to a confidential list, preventing firearm sellers from selling to them. The list is kept private (not public record) and shared only with licensed firearm sellers, who face penalties for violating the restriction. Individuals can also petition a court to have their name removed from the list later. It directly affects people with mental health concerns who choose this option and firearm sellers.
This bill (HD 3287) amends Massachusetts wiretap laws to expand law enforcement's ability to use electronic surveillance in violent crime investigations. It updates definitions to include "designated violent offense" (covering specific violent crimes like assault with firearms under Chapter 265) and removes the requirement for police to prove a crime was committed by an "organized group" when seeking surveillance warrants for violent acts. The bill also broadens the scope of covered offenses to include firearm-related violence and updates references to "designated violent offense" throughout the law. These changes directly affect law enforcement officials seeking court orders for electronic surveillance in investigations of violent crimes.
This bill requires law enforcement and public safety officials to report specific details within 24 hours whenever a stun gun is discharged, including the time, duration, stun gun's serial number, and the official's identity. It also mandates that contractors collecting stun gun data for the state must report the time, duration, and serial number to the attorney general within 24 hours of being notified of a discharge. The law directly affects law enforcement agencies, public safety officials, and state-contracted data collectors. All reports must go to both the official's commanding officer and the attorney general. The bill aims to create a standardized reporting system for stun gun use without altering the legal authority to use such devices.
HD 1014 establishes a special legislative commission to audit all gun violence prevention and intervention funding in Massachusetts. The commission, composed of community-based organizations from areas most impacted by gun violence, will examine specific programs including victim assistance funding, community safety initiatives, youth programs, and neighborhood prevention pilots. It must analyze where gun violence occurs (by census tract) and where funds were spent to identify gaps. The commission must submit a report within 180 days detailing findings and recommendations, including whether a specific pilot program should become permanent.
This bill (SD 1308) requires courts to detain individuals who violate release conditions by committing specific firearm or violent offenses. It applies to people already charged with violent crimes (defined under Mass. law) or firearm offenses, who were released after certain hearings but then commit a new offense involving a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machinegun, or assault weapon, or commit a violent crime while on release. Judicial officers must order detention after a hearing using "clear and convincing evidence" of the violation. Detention cannot exceed 120 days in district court or 180 days in superior court without justification. The law aims to quickly address community safety risks posed by repeat offenders violating release terms.
By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1282) of John C. Velis and Adam Gomez for legislation relative to repeat violent firearm offenders. The Judiciary.
