Bill
S 1772
Creates a statewide Blue Alert in Massachusetts to quickly notify the public and police when an officer is seriously injured or killed and a suspect is being sought.
Status (as provided)
- Bill number: S 1772
- Filed/Introduced: Filed 01/13/2025 (docket shows 1/13/2025); introduced/entrusted 05/15/2025 (records show multiple referrals)
- Current procedural note (from provided record): REFERRED TO FINANCE; previously referred to Public Safety and Homeland Security
- Sponsor(s) in the provided text: Bruce E. Tarr (petitioning senator) with Steven Xiarhos and Peter Durant listed in the filing. (The supplied “Sponsors” list elsewhere contains names inconsistent with a Massachusetts state bill — see “Notes/Discrepancies” below.)
Important note on source material
- The official bill text included in your materials concerns creation of a statewide “Blue Alert” system for Massachusetts. Some accompanying metadata in your submission (title “Designates April first as Alcohol Awareness Day,” a list of federal senators, and other legislative actions) appear inconsistent or from other jurisdictions/bills. This summary is based on the actual bill text excerpt provided (Blue Alert system). Verify the official state legislative database for authoritative status and full text.
Purpose and intent
- Establish a statewide “Blue Alert” system in Massachusetts to quickly notify the public and law enforcement when an individual is sought in connection with the serious injury or killing of a police officer, state trooper, or other law enforcement official.
Key provisions (from provided text)
- Amends Chapter 6A, §18¾ by adding a new clause (16) directing the Executive Office of Public Safety to “develop and implement a statewide blue alert system” to be activated when officers are seriously injured or killed and a suspect is being sought.
- Inserts a new Section 19B in Chapter 6A requiring the Executive Office of Public Safety to coordinate implementation of the statewide Blue Alert system pursuant to a new section 21 of Chapter 22.
- Adds a new Section 21 to Chapter 22 (titled “THE STATEWIDE BLUE ALERT SYSTEM”) with initial definitions:
- “Executive office” = Executive Office of Public Safety.
- “Law enforcement agency” = agency with jurisdiction over investigations of crimes resulting in serious injury or death of a law enforcement official.
- Activation criterion explicitly stated: when law enforcement is searching for an individual wanted in the serious injury or killing of a law enforcement official.
What is not in the provided excerpt / outstanding details
- The provided excerpt stops partway through Section 21; it does not include operational details such as:
- Specific activation protocols and thresholds (who may authorize an alert, exact criteria).
- Notification channels (e.g., radio/TV crawlers, wireless emergency alerts, social media, highway signs).
- Funding, administrative costs, or appropriation language.
- Data-sharing, privacy, sunset clauses, or training requirements.
- Any penalties or enforcement mechanisms.
- These operational and fiscal details would be crucial for understanding implementation, budget impact, and public communications — the complete bill text should be consulted.
Who would be affected
- Executive Office of Public Safety: tasked with design and coordination.
- State and local law enforcement agencies: participants in issuing and responding to alerts.
- General public and media outlets: potential recipients of alerts and advisories.
- Families of officers and communities affected by critical incidents (indirectly).
Procedural / timeline notes
- The provided legislative activity is inconsistent (multiple committee referrals and dates). The text shows it was filed in the 194th General Court (2025–2026). Confirm current status and committee assignment with the official Massachusetts Legislature website to track hearings, amendments, and votes.
Recommended next steps
- Consult the complete bill text on the Massachusetts Legislature’s website to read the full Section 21 and any subsequent sections.
- Verify current status, committee reports, fiscal notes, and any proposed amendments to understand operational details and budgetary impacts.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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