Bill
S 1214
Criminalizes manufacturing, sale, transfer, possession, or aiding use of digital key-emulation or relay devices to steal vehicles, with up to 10 years in prison.
Status (per provided materials)
- Identified as S 1214 / Senate Docket No. 1052 (Massachusetts). Filed 01/15/2025 by Sen. Michael O. Moore (petition) and others. Referred to the Judiciary Committee. A hearing is listed for 09/23/2025 in room A‑2 (1:00–5:00 PM).
- Note: The packet of documents also includes an unrelated S 1214 from Idaho (an appropriation to the Public Utilities Commission). This summary focuses on the Massachusetts bill titled “An Act relative to car theft with digital devices.”
Purpose and intent
- To criminalize the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, and facilitation of digital tools used to electronically unlock or start motor vehicles (commonly used in “relay attacks” and key‑fob emulation) when done with intent to steal a vehicle or property from it. The bill aims to reduce vehicle theft that exploits wireless key‑fob signals and related software/hardware tools.
Key provisions
- New statutory section added to Chapter 266 (after section 49), defining:
- “Motor vehicle key programming or emulating device”: any device, program, application, or software used to electronically communicate with a vehicle to program or emulate a key fob capable of unlocking or starting the vehicle.
- “Relay attack device”: any device, program, application, or software designed to intercept a key‑fob signal to unlock or start a vehicle.
- Prohibited conduct (with the required criminal intent to steal a motor vehicle or property from it):
- Knowingly manufacture, sell, offer to sell, transfer, or possess such devices.
- Knowingly aid or permit another person to use such devices.
- Penalties:
- Up to 10 years in state prison; alternatively, a fine of up to $1,000 and jail up to 2½ years (statutory language sets out these as alternate punishments).
Who would be affected
- People who design, produce, market, sell, distribute or knowingly possess digital key‑emulation or relay devices for the purpose of vehicle theft (including some sellers on online marketplaces).
- Individuals who assist others in using such devices.
- Law enforcement and prosecutors exercising investigative and charging discretion.
- Legitimate actors (e.g., locksmiths, automotive technicians, security researchers) potentially affected only if they act with criminal intent; the bill’s mens rea requirement (intent to steal) narrows reach against innocent/legitimate uses.
Practical and legal considerations
- The bill is technology‑neutral in wording (covers devices, programs, applications, and software), which helps future‑proof it but may raise issues about legitimate tools and research. The explicit intent requirement limits criminalization to wrongful uses.
- Enforcement will rely on proving intent; prosecutors may need digital‑forensic and transactional evidence (communications, sales context, patterns of use).
- If enacted, the law would add a weaponized‑device–oriented offense aimed at reducing a growing form of vehicle theft.
Procedural note / caveat
- Confirm the jurisdictional S 1214 you are tracking: documents included both the Massachusetts draft addressing car‑theft devices and an unrelated Idaho S 1214 (a FY2026 appropriation for the Public Utilities Commission). This summary pertains to the Massachusetts draft titled “An Act relative to car theft with digital devices.”
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
