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HD 1012

An Act relative to special regulations for vehicle specific checkpoints

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger

Prohibits motor vehicle safety checkpoints that target specific vehicle types or decorations, ensuring checkpoints apply universally rather than discriminating by appearance or cat

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Bill Summary · HD 1012

Summary: An Act relative to special regulations for vehicle specific checkpoints (HD 1012)

Quick overview

  • Bill number: HD 1012 (House Docket No. 1012)
  • Title: An Act relative to special regulations for vehicle specific checkpoints
  • Sponsor/Filed: Representative Badger (by request), House No. 3621; filed January 14, 2025
  • Session: One Hundred Ninety-Fourth General Court (2025-2026)
  • Status: Proposed bill (status not explicitly provided in the text excerpt)

This bill would amend Chapter 90 of the General Laws by adding a new section, 18C, to restrict motor vehicle safety checkpoints that target specific types of vehicles or particular decorations/adornments.

Purpose and intent

The core purpose of the bill is to prohibit motor vehicle safety checkpoints that are designed to target a particular type of motor vehicle, or that target decorations or adornments on a vehicle or rider. In other words, it seeks to prevent checkpoint practices that single out specific vehicle categories or appearance-based characteristics as part of enforcement activities, focusing instead on universal or non-targeted approaches to safety inspections.

Key provisions

  • Insertion of new Section 18C into Chapter 90 (after existing Section 18B):

    • No motor vehicle checkpoint shall target a particular type of motor vehicle, or target decorations/adornments of a vehicle or rider.
    • The prohibition applies to motor vehicle safety checkpoints that target the general public conveyed by a motor vehicle (as defined in Section 1).
    • The prohibition does not apply to:
    • Motor vehicles used as a public or common carrier of persons or property.
    • Trackless trolleys.
    • Semi-trailers or tandem units.
    • Low-speed motor vehicles used for conveying construction or commercial goods.
    • Motor vehicles that exceed dimensional or weight limits under Chapter 85 (Sections 19, 19A, 30, or 30A).

  • Definition references:

    • “Motor vehicle” and other definitions referenced align with existing Chapter 90 and Chapter 85 definitions (as of the 2018 Official Edition).

Who/what is affected

  • Affected: Law enforcement agencies and officials conducting motor vehicle safety checkpoints in the Commonwealth.
  • Provisions carve out exemptions for certain categories of vehicles and operations (e.g., public/common carriers, certain commercial or oversized vehicles, and specific vehicle types used for construction or goods transport).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill would become law if enacted by the General Court and signed by the governor (no explicit effective date is stated in the text excerpt).
  • It amends existing law by adding Section 18C to Chapter 90, establishing a new constraint on checkpoint practices.
  • Status in the provided materials is “proposed bill” with introductory details; specific progress or current status in the legislature is not listed here.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public safety and civil enforcement: By prohibiting targeted vehicle-specific checkpoints, the bill aims to ensure that safety inspections are not conducted on the basis of vehicle type or appearance, potentially increasing uniformity in enforcement.
  • Operational implications: Law enforcement may need to adjust checkpoint protocols to ensure compliance with the non-targeting requirement, while maintaining safety oversight for general checkpoints without discrimination.
  • Exemptions clarify that essential commercial and oversized vehicle operations remain eligible for check-by-checkpoint activities where appropriate.

If you’d like, I can add a side-by-side comparison with current Massachusetts checkpoint practices or provide a quick impact assessment for stakeholders.

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

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