Criminal Justice (Policing) in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 27, 2026

S 1773: An Act creating the ability of police officers to demand FID, LTC or proof of exempt status

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1773) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create the ability of police officers to demand FID, LTC or proof of exempt status. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5294: An Act exempting the positions of police lieutenant and police sergeant in the city of Leominster from the civil service law

This bill exempts police lieutenant and sergeant positions in the City of Leominster from Massachusetts' civil service law requirements. It directly affects Leominster police officers holding these specific ranks by removing them from standard civil service hiring and promotion processes. The key provision is a simple legislative change to exempt these roles from Chapter 31 of General Laws, effective upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Policing Public Employees

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 4177: An Act exempting certain positions of the police department in the town of Lancaster from the civil service law

By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton and Senator Cronin, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4177) of Meghan K. Kilcoyne and John J. Cronin (by vote of the town) that the town of Lancaster be authorized to exempt certain positions of the police department in said town from the civil service law. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4760: An Act exempting certain positions of the police department in the town of Lancaster from the civil service law

This bill allows the town of Lancaster to exempt specific police department positions from Massachusetts' civil service law. It directly affects Lancaster's police hiring and promotion processes for those designated roles. The key provision permits the town to bypass standard civil service requirements (like competitive exams) for these positions, giving local officials more flexibility in staffing decisions. The bill requires approval from Lancaster's town government to take effect.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4903: An Act to authorize the Wrentham Select Board to remove the position of lieutenant of the town of Wrentham Police Department from the requirements of M.G.L. Ch. 31

HD 4903 would exempt the position of police lieutenant in Wrentham from Massachusetts' civil service requirements under Chapter 31 of the General Laws. This means the town's Select Board could fill the role without following standard civil service hiring processes, such as competitive exams or merit-based appointments. Current holders of the position would retain their civil service status under Section 2 of the bill. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4387: An Act authorizing the town of Stoughton to exempt all Stoughton police officers at all ranks from civil service

This bill exempts all Stoughton police officer positions (all ranks except the Chief of Police, who was already exempt under prior law) from Massachusetts civil service rules under Chapter 31 of the General Laws. It applies only to future appointments and promotions starting after the Town of Stoughton's May 8, 2024, Annual Town Meeting vote, not affecting current officers' status. The exemption means new hires and promoted officers will no longer need to meet standard civil service requirements like competitive exams. This change directly impacts the Town of Stoughton's police department hiring and promotion processes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Policing Public Employees

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2366: An Act relative to body worn cameras

This bill amends a law governing body-worn camera recordings for law enforcement. It removes a restriction preventing officers from viewing their own body camera footage before giving a statement about an incident, and instead allows officers to access that footage beforehand. The change directly affects police officers who use body cameras during incidents, altering when they may review their own recorded footage prior to providing a formal statement. The amendment takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3287: An Act relative to the interception of wire and oral communications

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 554: An Act relative to false reporting of an emergency

This bill (HD 554) creates new criminal penalties for intentionally making false emergency calls to police, fire, or medical services in Massachusetts. It directly affects individuals who report fake emergencies or make "silent calls" (calls without providing location or emergency details), with stricter penalties for repeat offenses or bias-motivated reports (e.g., based on race, religion, or sexual orientation). Penalties range from up to 6 months in jail or a $200 fine for first offenses, to up to 5 years in prison for false reports causing serious harm or death. The bill also requires courts to order restitution to emergency services for costs incurred and mandates diversity training for bias-motivated offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3311: An Act relative to police certification

HD 3311 amends Massachusetts police certification rules to explicitly deny certification or re-certification to applicants who would otherwise be ineligible due to past offenses, even if those offenses were later pardoned by a president or governor. This directly affects individuals seeking to become or remain police officers who have received such pardons. The key provision inserts a specific clause into existing law, stating that pardons do not override the disqualification for certification. The bill makes no exceptions for pardoned offenses in the police certification process. It focuses solely on the eligibility criteria for law enforcement certification.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

All criminal justice bills