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H 4029

An Act relative to banning the use of tinted license plate covers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bruce Ayers

Massachusetts H.4029 bans tinted license plate covers that obscure any part of the plate, its color, issuing state name, or expiration, to keep plates readable.

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 4029

Summary: H.4029 — An Act relative to banning the use of tinted license plate covers

Overview

H.4029 is a Massachusetts bill introduced on April 10, 2025 by Representative Bruce J. Ayers (1st Norfolk) that seeks to ban the use of tinted license plate covers. The intent is to ensure license plates remain fully visible and readable, including the plate color, state name, and expiration information.

What the bill would do

  • Adds a prohibition to Section 6 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws.
  • Prohibits any colored glass, colored plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame, or any other type of covering from being placed on or around a license plate if the covering:
    • alters or obscures the license plate itself;
    • alters or obscures the color of the license plate;
    • obscures the name or abbreviated name of the issuing state;
    • obscures any expiration month or year indicated on the plate.

In short, the bill would effectively ban tinted or otherwise obstructive covers that impede legibility or identification of the plate’s elements.

Key provisions and scope

  • Applies to all license plates as issued in Massachusetts.
  • The prohibition is framed around preserving visibility of critical plate elements (the plate, its color, state identification, and expiration information).
  • The text provided does not specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms; those details would be governed by existing traffic/vehicle code enforcement structures or subsequent implementing regulations.

Who would be affected

  • Vehicle owners and operators who currently use or are offered tinted/color-covered license plate covers.
  • License plate accessory vendors, installers, and vehicle service shops that sell or install coverings.
  • Law enforcement and state officials responsible for plate visibility and identification during traffic stops, registrations, and inspections.
  • General public and motorists who rely on clear plate visibility for identification purposes.

Procedural history and timeline

  • Introduced: April 10, 2025
  • Sponsor: Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (Quincy)
  • Referred to the Committee on Transportation (April 10, 2025)
  • Senate concurrence: April 14, 2025 (per legislative actions)
  • Hearing: Scheduled for May 13, 2025
  • Committee action: Reported favorably and referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling (July–August 2025)
  • Status: Read second and ordered to a third reading (as of the latest provided status)

Related bill

  • Related HD 1193 (replaces): Indicates a closely related or predecessor measure associated with the same policy change.

Potential impact

  • If enacted, Massachusetts would prohibit the use of any tinted or obstructive covers on license plates that affect readability or critical plate elements.
  • Likely to affect retail and installation practices for license plate covers and could lead to enforcement actions against non-compliant covers.
  • Aims to improve plate legibility for law enforcement, tolling, and identification purposes.

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

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