relative to motorist duties when approaching highway emergencies involving a stopped or standing vehicle.
SB 273 requires drivers approaching highway emergencies involving stopped or standing vehicles to take specific safety actions, such as slowing down, changing lanes if safe, and activating hazard lights. It directly affects all motorists traveling on highways in Massachusetts when encountering emergency situations like disabled vehicles or accidents. The law mandates these proactive steps to protect emergency responders and other motorists at the scene. Signed into law on July 15, 2025, it becomes effective September 13, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Jan 23, 2025
Signed Jul 22, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Jul 22, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 07/15/2025; Chapter 0254; Effective 09/13/2025
upper
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 8
lower
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass 05/06/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC)
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 11 P. 113
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/06/2025, Vote 4-0; SC 11
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 3
upper
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Donovan Fenton
DDemocratic
Co
Bill Gannon
RRepublican
Co
Cindy Rosenwald
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Innis
RRepublican
Co
David Watters
DDemocratic
Co
Debra Altschiller
DDemocratic
Co
Denise Ricciardi
RRepublican
Co
Dru Fox
DDemocratic
Co
Karel Crawford
RRepublican
Co
Rebecca Perkins Kwoka
DDemocratic
Co
Regina Birdsell
RRepublican
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