SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1052        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael O. Moore

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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 car theft with digital devices.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1052        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

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 car theft with digital devices.

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

Chapter 266 of the general laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 49 the following section:-

Section 49A.

“Motor vehicle key programming or emulating device” means any device, computer program, application, or software designed or used to electronically communicate with a motor vehicle for the purpose of programing or emulating a motor vehicle key fob that is capable of being used to unlock or start the motor vehicle.

“Relay attack device” means any device, computer program, application, or software designed to intercept the signal from the key fob of a motor vehicle to unlock to unlock or start the motor vehicle.

No person shall, with intent to steal a motor vehicle or other property therefrom, knowingly manufacture, sell, offer to sell, transfer, or possess a motor vehicle key programming or emulating device or relay attack device.

No person shall, with intent to steal a motor vehicle or other property therefrom, knowingly aid or permit another to use a motor vehicle key programming or emulating device or relay attack device.

Whoever violates this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than two and one half years.