HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3768        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2595

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

David F. DeCoste

_________________

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 relative to the use of force equipment.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

David F. DeCoste

5th Plymouth

1/17/2025

Mackenzie Slocumb

 

1/17/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3768        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2595

By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2595) of David F. DeCoste and Mackenzie Slocumb relative to special state police officers and use of force equipment.  Public Safety and Homeland Security.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

 

An Act relative to the use of force equipment.

 

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 1 of Chapter 6E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “untruthful or untruthfulness” the following definition:-

“Use of force equipment”, a standardized set of equipment that shall be issued to all officers, as defined by this section, and the Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 550 3.02 and shall be authorized to be carried while on duty. Use of force equipment shall include, but not be limited to the following: (i) Semi-Automatic Handgun with a caliber of 9x19mm or higher; (ii) Baton\PR-24, Impact tool; (iii) Non-Flammable, Electronic Device Compatible Oleoresin Capsicum spray with a content of at least 1.33% Major Capsaicinoids and 10% Oleoresin Capsicum or equivalent; (iv) Double locking Handcuffs.

SECTION 2. Section 63 of Chapter 22C, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the word “hospital.” in line 11 and inserting in place thereof the following “hospital, and shall be issued for use and have access to use of force equipment, as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E. Such special state police officers serving in non-secure areas of hospitals or psychiatric or mental health facilities, as determined by the colonel, shall be authorized to carry use of force equipment on their person during their service.