Bill > H4448

This bill aims to increase police transparency and accountability in several ways: It establishes a permanent task force to investigate and audit the demographic statistics of state, county, and municipal agencies that receive state funding, ensuring they employ staff that reflects the diversity of the Commonwealth's population. The bill also requires the Municipal Police Training Committee to ensure its academies employ diverse staffs and develop training based on relevant scenarios for law enforcement. The bill mandates that police officers identify themselves, explain the reason for law enforcement activities, and offer business cards to individuals during encounters, unless certain exceptions apply. It also requires the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission to develop guidance on obtaining voluntary, knowing, and intelligent consent for searches. The bill creates civil liability for individuals who summon police without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity based on a person's race, color, or other protected characteristics. It also requires law enforcement agencies, schools, and prisons to publicly report detailed demographic data on various activities and disciplinary actions. Overall, the bill seeks to increase transparency, equity, and accountability in policing, law enforcement training, and other government institutions in Massachusetts.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4448