SENATE DOCKET, NO. 398        FILED ON: 1/13/2025

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 to enhance courthouse security.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 398        FILED ON: 1/13/2025

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

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1071 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 to enhance courthouse security.

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

Chapter 221 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking Section 70A and replacing it with the following language:-

“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 areas of the court to which they have been assigned or on the grounds adjacent to the court, including court parking lots, 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. Said court officers and those authorized to act as court officer shall also have police powers when attending a court proceeding convened in a location other than the courthouse, when escorting jurors on court business, when escorting a judicial officer, or when participating in the care, custody or transport of detainees.”