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S 1770

Prohibits the advertisement of firearms as combat weapons

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nathalia Fernández

Requires drivers to turn on interior cabin lighting when stopped by police, if present and working, for officer safety.

REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
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Bill Summary · S 1770

Summary — S 1770

Note: The bill materials provided contain inconsistent metadata (alternate titles and unrelated text excerpts). This summary focuses on the clear legislative text included in the filing, which proposes adding a new Section 63 to Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws requiring drivers to illuminate interior cabin lighting during traffic stops.

Purpose

To enhance officer safety during traffic stops by requiring vehicle operators to immediately activate interior cabin lighting (when available and operational) so the officer can see inside the vehicle.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new Section 63 to Chapter 90 (to follow section 62).
  • Duty on stop: When a motor vehicle is stopped by a police officer (as defined in section 98 of Chapter 41), the operator must immediately activate the vehicle’s interior cabin lighting if that lighting is present and operational, and thereby illuminate the vehicle interior.
  • Officer authority: If the operator fails to immediately activate interior lighting, the officer may order the operator to comply.
  • Noncompliance: Failure to follow an officer’s order to turn on interior lighting is designated a violation of section 25 of Chapter 90 (the bill does not amend section 25 itself; it references that section for enforcement).
  • Applicability is limited to lighting that is “present and operational.”

Who is affected

  • Motor vehicle operators in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who are stopped by police.
  • Law enforcement officers conducting traffic stops (gain authority to order lighting activation).
  • Vehicle owners/operators of older or custom vehicles without interior lighting will be exempt to the extent their vehicles lack operational cabin lights (requirement applies only if lighting is present and operational).

Enforcement and penalties

  • Noncompliance is treated as a violation of section 25 of Chapter 90. The bill references existing enforcement/penalty mechanisms tied to that section rather than creating new penalties in this statute.

Procedural status & timeline (as provided)

  • Introduced: May 14, 2025.
  • Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary (5/14/2025).
  • Hearing scheduled: 09/10/2025, 1:00–5:00 PM in A-2.
  • Other listed actions in the docket include referrals to Public Safety and Homeland Security and Consumer Protection; these entries appear inconsistent across the filing and may reflect prior/related filings.

Notes and considerations

  • The bill explicitly limits the duty to lighting that is “present and operational,” which excludes vehicles without cabin lights.
  • The statute references definitions and enforcement provisions in other chapters (e.g., police officer defined in Ch. 41 §98; penalties via Ch. 90 §25), so full practical effect depends on those existing provisions.
  • The provided packet also includes unrelated text (a Racehorse Health and Safety Act and other bill titles) and conflicting metadata (alternate titles and sponsors). Readers should consult the official legislative docket or bill text on the legislature’s website for confirmation and updates.

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

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