Bill
S 1704
Massachusetts law requires all on-duty state and municipal police in patrol vehicles to carry a properly sized flotation device and complete water-rescue training.
Status: Signed into law (Chapter 499), delivered to Governor 11/03/2025, signed 11/12/2025
Filed: 01/17/2025 (Senate Docket No. 1965); introduced in Senate 05/08/2025
Primary sponsors in bill text: Adam Gómez and Homar Gómez (petitioners)
Note: Some metadata associated with the file (alternate title referencing air pollution, and listed federal senators) appears inconsistent with the bill text. The operative text below relates to flotation devices and police water‑rescue preparedness.
Purpose
- Require state and municipal police officers to carry an appropriately sized flotation device in on‑duty vehicles and to receive water‑rescue training that includes safe use of the flotation device. The intent is to improve police capacity to respond safely to water‑related emergencies.
Key provisions
- Amends Chapter 147 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding two sections:
- Requirement that local and state police officers be equipped with a flotation device in their on‑duty vehicles. The device must be “large enough and suitable for use in a water rescue.”
- Requirement that these officers receive water rescue training, including instruction on safe and proper use of flotation devices.
- Grants the Municipal Police Training Committee authority to promulgate regulations necessary to implement the Act.
Who is affected
- All municipal police departments and state police agencies operating in Massachusetts (officers on duty in patrol/response vehicles).
- Municipal Police Training Committee (charged with developing implementing regulations and training standards).
- Municipalities and the state will bear responsibilities for procurement, training, and compliance.
Implementation timeline & procedural history
- Referred to Public Safety and Homeland Security; hearings and committee actions occurred in early 2025.
- Passed the Senate and House during 2025 legislative session; substituted for companion A6466 in the House; delivered to Governor 11/03/2025 and signed into law as Chapter 499 on 11/12/2025.
- The law takes effect according to standard state procedures (no separate effective date specified in the provided text), meaning it becomes effective on signing unless otherwise specified in final enacted language.
Fiscal and operational considerations
- The bill does not appropriate funds or specify device types, quantities per vehicle, certification standards for devices, or minimum training hours.
- Anticipated costs: purchase of flotation devices for patrol fleets, recurring training (instructor time, facility or water access), and potential vehicle storage adjustments.
- Potential benefits: faster and safer police response to water emergencies, reduced reliance on external rescue units, and possible mitigation of liability in water‑related incidents.
Open items / uncertainties
- No explicit standards for device certification (e.g., USCG approval), minimum number per vehicle, or enforcement/penalty mechanisms are provided in the text.
- Final implementing regulations to be developed by the Municipal Police Training Committee will define specific training curriculum and equipment standards.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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