HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4331

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, February 8, 2024.

The committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1490) of Carole A. Fiola and Paul A. Schmid, III relative to authorizing electronic signatures for criminal complaints, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4331) ought to pass.

For the committee,

MICHAEL S. DAY.

        FILED ON: 2/5/2024

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4331

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to authorizing electronic signatures for criminal complaints.

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

SECTION 1. Section 22 of chapter 276 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 4, after the word “subscribed” the following words:- , electronically or in person.

SECTION 2. Said section 22 of said chapter 276 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 7, after the word “Procedure.” the following words:-  A law enforcement officer acting as complainant, may, if submitting a complaint electronically, in lieu of being examined on oath by a justice, subscribe to the complaint electronically under the pains and penalties of perjury.

SECTION 3. Section 2 of chapter 275 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 5, after the word “subscribed” the following words:- , electronically or in person,.

SECTION 4. Said section 2 of said chapter 275 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 5,  after the word “complainant.” the following words:- A law enforcement officer acting as complainant, may, if submitting a complaint electronically, in lieu of being examined on oath by such court or a justice, subscribe to the complaint electronically under the pains and penalties of perjury.