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H 4087

Liquor Liability

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Martin and 2 co-sponsors

Allows municipalities to install traffic safety cameras at intersections to enforce violations and improve safety, with state standards and local fines.

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Mitchell
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Bill Summary · H 4087

Summary: H.4087 — An Act relative to traffic safety at intersections

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a framework for localities to use traffic safety cameras to promote safety at intersections.
  • The act envisions reducing violations at intersections (particularly red-light-related offenses and blocking intersections) and enhancing pedestrian safety through monitored enforcement, with accompanying safety and privacy protections.

Key provisions

Definitions

  • Defines core terms used in the act, including:
    • “Intersection” (as defined in chapter 90, section 1)
    • “Intersection violation” (three categories: turning on red contrary to law, failure to yield/slow/stop at red or stop, and blocking an intersection)
    • “Traffic safety camera,” a device that captures photographic images of a motor vehicle whose operator commits an intersection violation
    • “Motor vehicle,” “Operator,” and “Owner” (as defined in chapter 90)
    • “Way” (as defined in chapter 90)

Local option to install cameras

  • Cities and towns may install and operate traffic safety cameras at intersections to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
  • Cameras may be placed at intersections of ways maintained by the city or town.
  • If a camera is to be placed at an intersection with a state-maintained way, permission from the state agency that maintains that way is required.

Enforcement and penalties

  • A municipality that accepts the section may impose fines on:
    • An operator who commits an intersection violation captured by the camera
    • An owner whose vehicle was used to commit the violation
  • The bill does not specify fixed fine amounts in the text; local adoption would determine the penalty level.

Signage

  • Municipalities must erect signage notifying operators that a camera is present at the intersection where the camera is installed.

State regulatory framework

  • The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) must promulgate regulations (under Chapter 30A) establishing:
    • Minimum safety standards for traffic safety cameras
    • Privacy protections governing camera use and data handling

Who would be affected

  • Municipalities (cities and towns) that choose to accept and implement the section.
  • Vehicle operators and vehicle owners at intersections where cameras are installed.
  • MassDOT, which would regulate camera programs and privacy standards.
  • General public, particularly pedestrians and drivers at monitored intersections.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and sponsorship: Introduced May 5, 2025 (Rep. Orlando Ramos), House Docket No. 4087.
  • Committee action: Referred to the Committee on Transportation on May 5, 2025; hearing scheduled for June 3, 2025.
  • Legislative actions:
    • Senate concurred on May 8, 2025. 3
  • Reporting date extension: The bill’s reporting date has been extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Related bill: HD 2112 is noted as a related bill (replaces).

Notes

  • Adoption of the act is optional for municipalities; it requires formal acceptance under the local option framework (Chapter 4, Section 4) for a city or town to authorize cameras and enforceable fines.
  • The bill emphasizes safety and privacy in its regulatory provisions, requiring MassDOT regulations to address these standards before cameras operate.

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

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