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Bill

SD 92

An Act updating the Commonwealth's wiretap statutes

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Moore

Massachusetts modernizes wiretap statutes governing law enforcement surveillance authority, balancing investigative capabilities against constitutional privacy protections.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 92

Legislative bill overview

SD 92 updates Massachusetts' wiretap and electronic surveillance statutes to modernize law enforcement investigative tools. The bill likely revises procedures, standards, and authorization requirements for intercepting communications in criminal investigations. Updates to wiretap laws typically address technological changes, constitutional concerns, and evolving investigative practices.

Why is this important

Wiretap statutes directly balance law enforcement's investigative capabilities against citizens' privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment and state law. Outdated statutes may fail to address modern communications (encrypted messaging, VoIP, social media) or may contain procedures vulnerable to legal challenge. How these laws are updated significantly affects both crime investigation effectiveness and privacy protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of surveillance authority – Whether expanded digital surveillance powers adequately justify intrusions into private communications, particularly regarding encryption and metadata collection
  • Judicial oversight standards – How rigorous the probable cause and approval processes are, and whether safeguards sufficiently limit investigative overreach
  • Technology applicability – Whether updates properly address newer communications platforms or create ambiguities enabling broader interpretation than intended

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

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