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S 1221

Establishes a temporary commission to examine and review the degree of segregation in primary and secondary schools

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 3 co-sponsors

Imposes a 2-year minimum felony for removing/destroying a court-ordered GPS device, unless approved by a court or to prevent greater harm; strengthens protection for victims.

REFERRED TO FINANCE
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 1221

Summary — S 1221 (Introduced 2025): Strengthening GPS tampering laws

Note: the available file contains inconsistent metadata (conflicting titles, sponsor lists and committee referrals). The substantive bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate (Docket No. 1032 / Senate No. 1221, Jan. 15, 2025) is an amendment to Chapter 209A concerning GPS tracking devices. This summary focuses on that bill text and the dates/actions shown in the record.

Purpose / Intent

The bill amends Massachusetts law to increase criminal penalties for removing or destroying court-ordered global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking devices. Its stated intent is to deter tampering with GPS monitoring used in protective orders, pretrial supervision, probation, or similar court-ordered monitoring intended to protect victims and ensure compliance.

Key provision (exact amendment)

  • The bill inserts the following new paragraph into Chapter 209A, Section 7:
    • “The removal or destroying of said global positioning satellite tracking device without judicial approval or without a showing of necessity to prevent greater harm shall constitute a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years in a state prison.”

In short: unauthorized removal or destruction of a court-ordered GPS device becomes a felony with a mandatory minimum 2-year state prison sentence (unless judicially approved or necessary to prevent greater harm).

Who is affected

  • People subject to court-ordered GPS monitoring (e.g., respondents in domestic violence restraining orders, defendants on pretrial release, or those on supervised release/probation where GPS is imposed).
  • Prosecutors and law enforcement who would charge and enforce the new felony.
  • Courts, which would adjudicate “judicial approval” requests or necessity defenses.
  • Victims and community members: potentially increased protection if GPS monitoring is enforced, but also potential consequences of mandatory minimum sentencing.

Procedural status & timeline (as recorded)

  • Filed in the Massachusetts Senate: Jan 15, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 1032 / Senate No. 1221).
  • Introduced / Read twice and referred: April 1, 2025 (referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs per one entry; other entries show referral to Judiciary and to Finance — record is inconsistent).
  • Hearing(s) scheduled: September 9, 2025 (multiple scheduling entries list 1:00–5:00 PM, room A-2 and virtual).
  • Current status listed in the provided metadata: REFERRED TO FINANCE (date entries duplicate).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Raises the penalty for GPS tampering from a lesser offense to a felony with a mandatory minimum. That increases prosecutorial leverage and sentencing exposure.
  • The statutory “showing of necessity to prevent greater harm” and the role of “judicial approval” will require court processes and fact-finding; standards for necessity are not detailed in the amendment.
  • Mandatory minimums can limit judicial discretion and may have disproportionate effects in cases where device removal was motivated by safety concerns, confusion, or technical issues.
  • Implementation could increase criminal filings, require training for probation and court personnel, and affect supervised-release conditions.

If you want, I can:
- Locate the current text of Chapter 209A, Section 7 to show the provision being amended;
- Draft a one-page memo analyzing constitutional and sentencing implications of the mandatory minimum; or
- Prepare suggested amendment language to define “showing of necessity.”

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

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