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S 1271

Relates to requiring a licensed massage therapist to display such licensed massage therapist's license when practicing and the required contents of such license

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a new crime for tampering with geolocation-monitoring devices used for pretrial release, probation, or parole, with penalties and effects on bail and victim notice.

COMMITTED TO RULES
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 1271

Summary — S 1271 (as provided)

Note on inconsistencies
- The metadata supplied includes two conflicting subjects: a title about requiring licensed massage therapists to display licenses, and the bill text which amends Massachusetts criminal and bail statutes. This summary is based on the actual bill text provided (which concerns geolocation-monitoring tampering, bail eligibility, and victim notice), not the massage-therapist title.

Purpose

To strengthen protections for the public and identified victims by (1) creating a specific crime and penalties for tampering with geolocation monitoring devices used for pretrial release, probation, or parole; (2) expanding the list of offenses relevant to bail and pretrial-release determinations; and (3) requiring notice to identified victims before release of certain accused persons.

Key provisions

  1. New criminal offense (Chapter 268, new Section 13F)

    • Makes it a crime to unlawfully and with intent remove, destroy, damage, or interfere with the functioning of a geolocation monitoring device or other mechanism intended to facilitate recognizance or compliance with pretrial release, probation, or parole.
    • Penalties:
      • First offense: imprisonment in a house of correction for up to 2½ years.
      • Second or subsequent offense: imprisonment in state prison for up to 5 years, or in a house of correction for up to 2½ years.
    • Prior conviction under this section is prima facie evidence in proceedings under chapter 276, sections 57–58B, that no financial or other condition of release will reasonably assure the person’s presence.

  2. Expansion of offenses relevant to bail (Chapter 276, amended Section 58A)

    • Adds to the enumerated crimes that bear on bail decisions: a sex offense involving a child (per G.L. c.6 §178C) and numerous offenses listed in G.L. c.265 (including sections 13, 13½, 13B, 13F, 13M, 15D, various sexual and violent offense sections up through 51, and sec. 23), with a carve-out that the addition for G.L. c.265 §23 does not apply where the accused is under 16 or within 2 years of the victim’s age.

  3. Victim notification before release (new Section 58C to Chapter 276)

    • Persons 18+ charged with acts constituting abuse (G.L. c.209A), or violations of G.L. c.265 §§13M or 15D, or any offense enumerated in subsection 1 of §58A involving an identified victim shall not be admitted to bail until reasonable efforts are made to notify the alleged victim of the person’s imminent release.
    • The delay to permit notice may not exceed 6 hours.
    • Responsibility for giving notice:
      • Police releases: police department.
      • Courthouse releases: the Commonwealth.
      • Jail/correctional facility releases: superintendent or designee.
    • The responsible party “shall undertake to provide notice promptly.”

Who would be affected

  • Defendants on pretrial release, probation, or parole using geolocation monitoring devices.
  • Defendants charged with the enumerated sexual, violent, or abuse offenses.
  • Identified victims (who would receive notice of imminent release).
  • Law enforcement agencies, courts, jails/correctional facilities — responsible for conducting notification and implementing holding up to 6 hours.
  • Corrections system (new penalties may increase incarcerations for tampering).

Procedural status (as provided)

  • Introduced in Senate: 2025-04-03. Read twice and referred to committee.
  • Committee references in materials include The Judiciary and Higher Education; hearing(s) listed for 09/09/2025 (1:00–5:00 PM).
  • Status listed as COMMITTED TO RULES (06/13/2025) and advanced to third reading (05/22/2025) in some entries.
  • Note: the procedural history provided contains duplicated and conflicting entries; confirm current status with the official legislative website.

Potential practical effects

  • Strengthens penalties for tampering with monitoring technology (possible deterrent; increased prosecutions/penalties).
  • Limits release procedures for accused persons in abuse/sexual/violent cases by requiring prior victim notice and by making prior tampering convictions evidence against release conditions.
  • Imposes operational requirements and potential resource burdens on police, prosecutors, correctional facilities, and court clerks to provide timely victim notification.

If you would like, I can:
- Produce a one-page fact sheet for victims, law enforcement, or courts explaining the new notification responsibilities; or
- Verify the bill’s current legislative status from the official Massachusetts legislature website and reconcile the procedural inconsistencies.

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

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