SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1119        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Patricia D. Jehlen

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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 authorizing electronic signatures for criminal complaints.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1119        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

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

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1490 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

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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 after the word “subscribed”, in line 4, the words:- , electronically or in person

SECTION 2. Section 22 of chapter 276 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022  Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 7, the following words after the word “Procedure.”:- If a complaint is submitted electronically by the complainant, the complainant, if a law enforcement officer, may, in lieu of being examined on oath by justice, subscribe to the complaint under the pains and penalties of perjury.

SECTION 3. Section 2 of chapter 275 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “subscribed”, in line 5, the words:- , electronically or in person

SECTION 4. Section 2 of chapter 275 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 5, the flowing words after the word “complainant.”:- If a complaint is submitted electronically by the complainant, the complainant, if a law enforcement officer, may, in lieu of being examined on oath by such court or a justice, subscribe to the complaint under the pains and penalties of perjury.