SENATE DOCKET, NO. 219        FILED ON: 1/9/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bruce E. Tarr

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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 safety of officers by requiring interior lights in automobiles to be on during stops.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 219        FILED ON: 1/9/2025

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

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1588 OF 2023-2024.]

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 safety of officers by requiring interior lights in automobiles to be on during stops.

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

Chapter 90, of the General Laws shall be amended by adding after section 62 the new section 63, the following:-

“Section 63. (a) When a motor vehicle is stopped by a police officer as defined in section 98 of chapter 41 of the general laws, the operator shall immediately activate interior cabin lighting if present and operational, and illuminate the inside of the vehicle.

(b) If the operator does not immediately activate interior cabin lighting, the officer may order the operator to comply with this requirement. Noncompliance with such an order shall be considered a violation of section 25 of this chapter.”