HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2287        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1647

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Benjamin Swan

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to provide for recording of statements.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Benjamin Swan

11th Hampden

1/17/2013


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2287        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1647

By Mr. Swan of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1647) of Benjamin Swan for legislation to require that certain interogations be electronically recorded to be admissible in court.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act to provide for recording of statements.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 263 of General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 1A the following new section:-

Section 1B. All law enforcement interviews, inquires, questioning, and interrogations of persons conducted in a police station , courthouse, correctional facility, community correctional facility, or other government premises or structured settings shall be electronically recorded and a true, complete and accurate copy of such recordings maintained by the law enforcement department and made available to any person so recorded.  Any oral, written or sign language statement of a person obtained by law enforcement in such circumstances which is not electronically recorded shall not be admissible in any grand jury or criminal proceeding.