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HD 3768

An Act relative to the use of force equipment

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David DeCoste

Standardizes a defined set of on-duty use of force equipment for designated officers and allows special state police in non-secure hospital areas to carry it.

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Bill Summary · HD 3768

Summary of: An Act relative to the use of force equipment (HD 3768)

Note: The bill text provided is from the 194th General Court (2025-2026) and shows filed January 17, 2025 as House Docket No. 3768, House No. 2595. The introduced status in the user prompt differs on date, but the substantive provisions below reflect the bill text as filed.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a standardized “Use of force equipment” framework for designated officers.
  • Define issued equipment and authorize carrying on duty, with the aim of ensuring uniform tools and procedures for force-related encounters.
  • Expand authority to carry use of force equipment for special state police officers assigned to non-secure hospital areas, upon designation by the colonel.

Key Provisions

Section 1: Definition and Issuance of Use of Force Equipment

  • Inserts a new definition of “Use of force equipment” into Chapter 6E, Section 1.
  • Use of force equipment is a standardized set issued to all officers defined in this section, per Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR 550 3.02), and authorized to be carried while on duty.
  • The equipment list includes:
    • (i) Semi-automatic handgun with a caliber of 9x19mm or higher
    • (ii) Baton/PR-24, or an impact tool
    • (iii) Non-flammable, electronic device-compatible oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray with at least 1.33% major capsaicinoids and 10% oleoresin capsicum (or equivalent)
    • (iv) Double locking handcuffs

Section 2: Authority for Special State Police Officers in Hospitals

  • Amends Section 63 of Chapter 22C to authorize special state police officers serving in non-secure areas of hospitals or psychiatric/mental health facilities to carry the defined use of force equipment.
  • Officers must be designated to carry by the colonel and have access to the equipment while on duty.
  • The language ties the use of force equipment to service in non-secure hospital areas, with issuance and access defined by the new Section 1 framework.

Who/What is Affected

  • All officers covered under Chapter 6E (as defined in the bill) would be issued and authorized to carry the specified use of force equipment on duty.
  • Special state police officers assigned to non-secure hospital areas (including hospitals and psychiatric/mental health facilities) would be authorized to carry use of force equipment on their person during service, subject to the colonel’s determination.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill is introduced and filed as House Docket No. 3768 (House No. 2595). It sets out definitions, regulatory references (CMR 550 3.02), and procedural amendments to Chapter 22C and Chapter 6E.
  • The text references that the equipment must be issued and carried in accordance with the new definition and applicable regulations; specifics on implementation timing (e.g., effective date, phased rollout) are not provided in the excerpt.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Standardization: Creates uniform equipment standards across affected law enforcement roles.
  • Training and Oversight: Likely requires training programs, procurement processes, storage, and accountability measures for the use of force equipment.
  • Hospital Operations: Expands officer capabilities in hospital non-secure areas; potential implications for hospital security dynamics and safety protocols.
  • Regulatory Alignment: Ties equipment to existing regulations (CMR 550 3.02) and state policing statutes, necessitating coordination with regulatory agencies.

If you’d like, I can add a brief glossary of terms (e.g., “special state police officers,” “CMR 550 3.02”) or compare these provisions to current Massachusetts law to highlight changes.

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

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