HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5273        FILED ON: 10/22/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Tackey Chan

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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 courthouse court officers.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Tackey Chan

2nd Norfolk

10/22/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5273        FILED ON: 10/22/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tackey Chan relative to powers and duties of judicial court officers.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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

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An Act relative to courthouse court officers.

 

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. Chapter 221 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out section 70A and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 70A. Court officers and those authorized to act as court officers within the judicial branch may perform police duties and have police powers in or about the premises of the court or in the immediate vicinity thereof when so designated by the chief justice of the trial court, the chief justice of the supreme judicial court or the chief justice of the appeals court, as appropriate. Pursuant to said police powers, court officers may carry within the premises of the court or in the immediate vicinity thereof such weapons as the chief justice of the trial court, the chief justice of the supreme judicial court or the chief justice of the appeals court shall determine necessary. Provided, however, that, prior to being permitted to carry a firearm within a courthouse, a court officer shall have a license to carry pursuant to section 131 or section 131F of chapter 140.