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H 3817

Louise R. Simmons, sympathy

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

The bill strengthens deterrence for right-of-way violations by raising fines and mandating driver’s license suspensions (30–180 days or more) when injury, serious injury, or death

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 3817

Summary — H 3817 (CeCelia’s Law) / “Louise R. Simmons, sympathy” (documents contain mixed content)

Note: The filing contains two distinct items. The substantive bill text titled “An Act regarding right of way violations (CeCelia’s Law)” is a Massachusetts traffic‑safety bill introduced by Rep. Steven Xiarhos. The package also contains an unrelated South Carolina House resolution expressing sympathy on the passing of Mrs. Louise Thelma Robinson‑Simmons. Below focuses on the Massachusetts bill (CeCelia’s Law) and notes procedural status.

Purpose / Intent

The bill seeks to increase penalties for right‑of‑way violations (turns at certain red lights) that result in injury, serious bodily injury, or death. Its intent is to strengthen deterrence and impose mandatory fines and driver license suspensions in addition to existing penalties.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 8 of Chapter 89 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
  • Increases a baseline monetary figure in the existing provision by replacing the word “thirty‑five” with “two hundred” (i.e., increasing a specified fine/amount from $35 to $200).
  • Adds a new paragraph establishing mandatory additional penalties for persons convicted (or pleading guilty / nolo contendere) of violations of that section when the violation results in harm:
    • (a) If the violation results in injury: additional fine of $200 and mandatory suspension of driver’s or commercial driver’s license/permit or nonresident operating privilege for not less than 30 days, or both fine and suspension.
    • (b) If the violation results in serious bodily injury: additional fine of $500 and mandatory suspension for not less than 90 days, or both.
    • (c) If the violation results in death: additional fine of $1,000 and mandatory suspension for not less than 180 days, or both.
  • Defines “serious bodily injury” to include unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, protracted loss/impairment of bodily function or mental faculty, or substantial risk of death.

Who is affected

  • Motor vehicle operators who commit right‑of‑way violations (specifically making turns at certain red lights) that lead to injury, serious injury, or death.
  • Victims of such crashes (through increased accountability and penalties).
  • Motor vehicle licensing authorities (responsible for implementing suspensions).
  • Courts and law enforcement (will apply the added fines and suspension mandates in adjudications).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill sponsor: Rep. Steven G. Xiarhos (5th Barnstable); co‑petition by Kelly W. Pease.
  • Filed/presented in Massachusetts General Court (House Docket No. 823 / House No. 3817).
  • Referred to the House Committee on Transportation on 2025‑02‑27.
  • Legislative actions in the record include “Senate concurred” (2025‑02‑27) and “Introduced and adopted” (2025‑01‑29) — the record appears to mix actions and an unrelated SC resolution adoption; verify docket entries for final status.
  • Committee hearing(s) were scheduled/rescheduled for October 2025 (10/21/2025 noted).
  • No explicit effective date stated in the text.

Observations / potential impacts

  • The bill raises monetary penalties and adds mandatory license suspensions tied to injury severity, likely increasing consequences for drivers found at fault in right‑of‑way turn violations.
  • Could affect plea bargaining, sentencing, and administrative license action processes.
  • The record includes an unrelated South Carolina condolence resolution (Louise Thelma Robinson‑Simmons), which explains the title discrepancy; readers should consult the official Massachusetts docket for the bill’s current procedural status and final text.

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

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