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H 2719

An Act to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Francisco Paulino and 2 co-sponsors

Authorizes regulated use of temporary door-locking devices in public buildings and schools to secure doors while preserving evacuation, with standards, training, and inspections.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2719

Summary: H.2719 — An Act to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to authorize the use of temporary door-locking devices in public buildings and schools within Massachusetts.
  • It directs the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), in consultation with the Executive Office of Education (EOE) and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), to promulgate regulations governing the use of these devices.
  • The goal is to enhance safety by providing a regulated mechanism to temporarily secure doors while maintaining building safety and evacuation requirements.

Key provisions

Regulatory framework

  • The bill adds a new Section 101 to Chapter 143 of the General Laws.
  • Regulations must address:
    • Circumstances under which temporary door locking devices may be used.
    • Appropriate locations and ensuring consistent operation throughout a building.
    • Local approval processes, including consultation with the fire department and the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.
    • Integration of devices into building safety plans and training programs.
    • In-service training for use by first responders and public employees.
    • Standards for annual inspections to ensure proper use and operation.

Device definition and standards

  • A “temporary door locking device” is defined by several criteria:
    1. It prevents a door from opening.
    2. It can be engaged or removed without opening the door; engagement/removal from the egress side must not require a key, special knowledge, or excessive effort. Removal from the ingress side requires a key or credential.
    3. It does not modify the door closer, panic hardware, or fire exit hardware.
    4. It is not permanently mounted to the door (though some non-structural parts may be permanently mounted).
    5. It does not affect the door’s fire rating and complies with NFPA fire-rating standards.
    6. It can be removed with a single operation after engagement, unless the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system, in which case two operations may be permitted.

Relationship to ordinances

  • The device is not prohibited by any ordinance that would ban installation of a barricade device, ensuring local authority cannot outright prohibit these devices.

Scope

  • The provisions apply to public buildings and schools, with specific regulatory guidance for school buildings through inputs from EOE and MSBA.

Affected entities

  • Public buildings and schools across the Commonwealth.
  • Building owners and administrators.
  • First responders (police, fire departments) and other relevant public employees.
  • Local fire and law enforcement agencies involved in the approval and operation process.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative actions

  • 2/27/2025: Referred to the Public Safety and Homeland Security committee.
  • 5/7/2025: Hearing scheduled (May 7, 2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM).
  • 5/5/2025: Hearing notice published for the bill.
  • 7/30/2025: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Status

  • As of the latest actions, the bill has been reported favorably by a committee and moved to House Ways and Means for consideration.

Additional notes

  • Related bill: HD 358 is listed as related/replacing.
  • The bill does not specify any fiscal appropriation or funding amounts; costs of regulation, training, and inspections would likely be addressed within agency budget processes as regulations are implemented.

This summary focuses on the substantive changes the bill would introduce, who is affected, and how the regulatory framework would operate to govern temporary door-locking devices in public buildings.

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

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