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S 595

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, RELATING TO CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION INVESTIGATORS AND PERSONS OBTAINING CONSENTS OR RELINQUISHMENTS, DESIGNATED AS

2025-2026 Regular Session

Mass. S.595 removes the crossbow carve-out and shifts gear standards for bows/crossbows to the Director's regulations, requiring compliant hunting gear and new rulemaking.

Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without reference
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Bill Summary · S 595

Summary — S.595 (2025) — "An Act relative to the use of crossbows in hunting"

Note on bill metadata: the official bill text and docket for Senate No. 595 (Commonwealth of Massachusetts) address crossbow use in hunting. Some accompanying metadata in your submission (an alternate title about small rental housing and a list of federal senators as cosponsors) appears to be from other legislation and is inconsistent with the text. This summary is based on the bill text filed by Ryan C. Fattman (Senate Docket No. 1103).

Purpose / Intent

To update Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 131, to clarify and standardize the legality and equipment standards for carrying and using bows and crossbows while hunting by delegating technical equipment standards to the Director (the agency official empowered to promulgate regulations).

Key provisions

  • Amends section 64 of chapter 131 by removing language that previously carved out an exception for crossbows (the bill replaces the phrase “, or any crossbow, except as provided in section 69, nor” with simply “nor”).
  • Repeals the existing section 69 and replaces it with a new Section 69 that:
    • Prohibits a person from carrying or using a bow and arrow or crossbow while hunting unless the device meets requirements established in rules and regulations promulgated by the Director.
    • Instructs the Director’s rules to prescribe general design, weight of pull, and types of bows, arrows, or crossbows.
    • Requires those regulations to conform to standards “generally accepted for hunting purposes.”

In short: the bill removes an explicit statutory exception and moves equipment-specific standards (including crossbows) into delegated regulatory authority.

Who is affected

  • Hunters using bows and crossbows in Massachusetts — they must use devices that comply with the Director’s rules.
  • The Executive branch/agency (the Director) — receives delegated rulemaking authority to set technical standards.
  • Equipment manufacturers and retailers — may need to ensure products comply with the state regulations adopted under the new Section 69.
  • Law enforcement and conservation officers — will enforce compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
  • Hunting organizations and the public — may be affected during the rulemaking process that sets specific technical standards.

Enforcement, penalties and implementation

  • The statutory text establishes a compliance requirement but does not specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms beyond existing hunting statute frameworks; such details (penalties, compliance schedules) would remain governed by existing law or by later-adopted regulations.
  • Implementation depends on the Director promulgating the required rules and regulations (likely involving standard rulemaking procedures and public notice/hearings).

Legislative status / timeline (from provided actions)

  • Introduced in the Massachusetts Senate: 2/13/2025.
  • Committee referrals noted to Judiciary; Environment and Natural Resources; later to Finance and Ways & Means in various actions.
  • Passed the Senate: 6/11/2025 and delivered to the House/Assembly thereafter (records show referred to House committees, and later to Housing).
  • A hearing was scheduled for 10/21/2025 (per the docket).
  • Because the bill delegates detail to regulatory rulemaking, its practical effect will not be realized until the Director issues conforming regulations.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the precise pre- and post-amendment statutory text side-by-side;
- Track the bill’s current status in the Massachusetts legislative database; or
- Draft a plain-language explainer for hunters and retailers about likely regulatory topics (e.g., weight-of-pull standards, permitted crossbow designs).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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