Bill > S1749

This bill establishes an Active Shooter/Hostile Events Response (ASHER) Program in Massachusetts to improve emergency preparedness and response to active shooter or hostile event situations. The bill requires the Executive Office of Public Safety to adopt the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 3000 standard as a guideline for such incidents and develop standard training requirements across state, county, municipal, and regional emergency response agencies. The bill creates an ASHER Executive Council composed of 16 members, including key public safety officials and representatives from various professional organizations, who will meet quarterly to coordinate emergency response efforts and submit an annual report. The department will be the lead state agency responsible for developing, planning, and regulating emergency response strategies, with the authority to establish minimum training standards, define response criteria, and coordinate improvements in emergency preparedness for active shooter or hostile event situations. The council members will serve without compensation, and at least half must be present to conduct official business. The primary goal is to create an integrated, comprehensive approach to preparing for, responding to, and recovering from these critical incidents.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1749