Bill > H4640

This bill implements comprehensive regulations for facial recognition technology use by law enforcement and public agencies in Massachusetts. The legislation defines key terms like "biometric surveillance technology" and "facial recognition," and generally prohibits law enforcement agencies from acquiring or using such technology without specific authorized exceptions. Permitted uses include investigating individual identities for driver's licenses, executing warrants with probable cause, responding to emergencies involving immediate danger, identifying deceased persons, and assisting other law enforcement agencies under specific conditions. The bill requires extensive documentation and reporting for each facial recognition search, including details about the search's purpose, characteristics of the subject, and the technology used. It mandates that individuals charged with crimes after being identified through facial recognition must be notified and provided with comprehensive search records. The legislation also strictly limits the use of biometric surveillance systems, prohibiting their use for inferring emotions or analyzing moving images, with narrow exceptions for still images. Public agencies must quarterly report facial recognition search data, and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security must annually publish aggregated, disaggregated search information, including details about race and gender of search subjects. The bill aims to provide transparency, accountability, and protect individual privacy in the use of facial recognition technology.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on the Judiciary (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4640