Bill > H1978

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for robotic devices with advanced technological capabilities, specifically focusing on prohibiting the weaponization and misuse of robotic technologies. The legislation defines a "robotic device" as a machine capable of autonomous or remote-controlled locomotion, navigation, or flight, and defines "weapon" as any device designed to cause physical harm. The bill makes it illegal to manufacture, modify, sell, transfer, possess, or operate a robotic device equipped with a weapon, with significant criminal penalties ranging from 2.5 to 15 years of imprisonment depending on the number of offenses. Additionally, the bill prohibits using robotic devices to threaten crimes, criminally harass individuals, or physically restrain people, with separate criminal penalties. The legislation provides exemptions for specific entities like the Department of Defense, the Massachusetts National Guard, and defense industrial companies, and allows law enforcement to use weaponized robotic devices in limited circumstances such as handling explosives or preventing imminent threats. The bill also requires law enforcement to obtain warrants for deploying robotic devices on private property or for surveillance, mandates quarterly public reporting of robotic device usage, and allows individuals to bring civil actions for damages resulting from violations. Importantly, the bill empowers the Attorney General and the Secretary of Public Safety to develop detailed regulations and waiver processes to implement these guidelines.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1978