Authorizes a court to direct filing of non-family offense order of protection with the computerized registry for such orders and warrants

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 4 co-sponsors

Creates a dedicated fund funded by a 4.75% surcharge on firearms, ammunition, and related parts to finance municipal violence reduction and firearm injury prevention programs.

SIGNED CHAP.465

Summary — S.1652 (Chapter 465, 2025)

An Act to fund programs to reduce violence and firearm related injuries

Note on sources and conflicting metadata
- The supplied materials contain inconsistent metadata (a federal‑style table of contents and out‑of‑state sponsor list). The enacted text and legislative history below reflect the Massachusetts bill filed as Senate Docket No. 728 (sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem) and enacted as Chapter 465 of 2025. Where possible this summary follows the enacted Massachusetts language.

Key provisions

Establishes the Violence Reduction and Firearm Injury Prevention Trust Fund (new section 2BBBBBB in Chapter 29 of the General Laws).

Amounts credited to the Fund are available, without further appropriation, to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).
EOHHS shall use Fund money to create an annual municipal grant program supporting local programs and initiatives targeted at reducing youth violence, gun violence, or firearm‑related injuries.

Adds a 4.75% surcharge to existing taxes:

Amends Chapter 64H (sales tax) to impose an additional 4.75% surcharge on retail sales in the Commonwealth of: ammunition, rifles, shotguns, firearms, or parts thereof (as defined in G.L. c.140, §121).
Amends Chapter 64I (use/storage tax) to impose a corresponding 4.75% surcharge on storage, use, or other consumption in the Commonwealth of those same items purchased from any vendor or manufactured/assembled for use in the Commonwealth.
All revenues, penalties, fines, interest, less refunds/abatements (as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue), are credited to the newly created Trust Fund.

Cross‑references: definitions of firearms/ammunition are those in G.L. c.140, §121.

Who is affected

Purchasers and users of ammunition, rifles, shotguns, firearms, and parts in Massachusetts (will pay an additional 4.75% surcharge on top of current sales/use taxes).

Retailers and vendors (collection/remittance responsibilities governed by the Department of Revenue).

Municipalities and community organizations (potential grant recipients for violence‑reduction and injury prevention programs).

Executive Office of Health and Human Services (administers the grant program and manages Fund distribution).

Fiscal and administrative impact

Generates a dedicated revenue stream for violence‑reduction grants; exact revenue depends on statewide sales/consumption of covered items.

Funds are earmarked and available without further appropriation, giving EOHHS authority to operate the grant program using Fund receipts.

The Commissioner of Revenue administers collection and accounting of surcharge revenue.

Legislative/timeline actions

Filed as Senate Docket No. 728 (filed 01/14/2025); introduced in Senate (05/07/2025 per some records).

Passed both chambers; delivered to Governor 10/09/2025.

Signed into law as Chapter 465 on 10/16/2025.

Companion bill: A7265.

For the final legal text and implementation details (including any effective date, grant application rules, or administrative guidance), consult Chapter 465 of the Acts of 2025 and implementing regulations or guidance from EOHHS and the Department of Revenue.

Bill