An Act relative to licensed funeral home vehicles

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero

Authorizes funeral home vehicles to use flashing lights (purple, violet, amber, clear, white) and red signaling without RMV permits during processions or fatality responses.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

Purpose and intent

This bill broadens the authority for certain funeral-related vehicles to use specialized warning and identification lights without obtaining a separate permit from the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). It aims to improve visibility and safety for funeral processions and when funeral directors/crews respond to fatalities on behalf of the Chief Medical Examiner.

What the bill would change (key provisions)

Adds a new subsection (h) to Section 14A of Chapter 85 (general laws) to authorize lighting and signaling for funeral home vehicles.

Eligible vehicles: vehicles owned or leased by a funeral home establishment, vehicles owned/leased by a licensed or registered certified funeral director, or by a livery company; and operated by a funeral director, an employee, or an independent contractor of a funeral home.

Lighting permissions (no RMV permit required):

Mounted lights: flashing, rotating, or oscillating purple, violet, amber, clear, or white lights; alternating flashing headlights or fog lights.
Red signaling: a flashing, rotating, or oscillating red light in the opposite direction from which the vehicle is proceeding when the vehicle is moving forward.

Usage conditions:

Lights may be illuminated only when the owner/operator is proceeding in a funeral procession or responding to a fatality on behalf of the Chief Medical Examiner.
All vehicles in a funeral procession may display 4-way hazard flashers (hazard warning signals).

Who is affected

Funeral homes and their owners, managers, and licensed/registered funeral directors.

Employees or independent contractors working for funeral homes.

Livery companies that operate funeral-related vehicles.

The general public and other road users (implied by the change in permissible vehicle lighting).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Initial referral: Transportation Committee.

Status updates:

February 27, 2025: Referred to the Transportation Committee.
July 10, 2025: Hearing scheduled (July 22, 2025, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, in Room B-1).
October 2, 2025: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Related history: Similar matter filed previously (House Bill 3392 in 2021-2022). The bill numbering and scheduling reflect standard Massachusetts legislative process with committee reports and cross-reference to Ways and Means.

Potential impact and considerations

Public safety and visibility: Funeral processions may be more easily recognized by other drivers, potentially improving safety during processions and when responding to fatalities.

Regulatory clarity: Removes the need for a separate RMV permit for the specified lights, reducing administrative steps for funeral establishments.

Scope and enforcement: The specific color and signaling requirements help distinguish authorized funeral vehicles from other emergency or authorized vehicles during processions.

This summary reflects the bill’s text as introduced and the current legislative actions.

Bill