Bill > S2981

This bill makes several key changes to policing and law enforcement in Massachusetts. It establishes a municipal police training committee to set policies and standards for the training of police officers and candidates, including those from various state and local agencies. The committee will coordinate with the newly established Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission on issues like use of force and officer certification. The bill also places restrictions on law enforcement's use of facial recognition technology, requiring a court order or showing of emergency to perform facial recognition searches, and mandating quarterly reporting on such searches. Additionally, the bill creates a special legislative commission to study the use of facial recognition technology by the government. Other provisions include requiring officers to annually complete training on mental wellness and suicide prevention, and requiring police departments to complete internal affairs investigations into officer misconduct within one year, with the possibility of extensions. The bill also makes changes to promotional exam eligibility and requirements for certain law enforcement positions.

Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading (S)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2981