H4684
An Act ensuring law enforcement identification and public trust
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill addresses the use of masks or disguises by law enforcement officers when interacting with the public. It aims to ensure that officers are readily identifiable while performing their duties, thereby bolstering public trust and accountability. The legislation establishes penalties for officers who conceal their identity during public interactions. The bill has undergone revisions and rescheduling of hearings as it moves through the legislative process.
Key provisions
- Establishes penalties for law enforcement officers wearing masks or disguises.
- Requires law enforcement officers to readily identify themselves to the public.
- Addresses concerns regarding public trust in law enforcement.
- The bill was referred to the committee on House Rules and subsequently to the committee on Joint Rules and The Judiciary.
- A study order was attached to the bill (H5281).
Who is affected
- Law enforcement officers
- The public
- The Massachusetts State Government
Notable changes
- The bill has been subject to multiple revisions and rescheduling of hearings.
- It is linked to a related study order (H5281).
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
James K. Hawkins
Cosponsors
Adrian C. Madaro
Amy Mah Sangiolo
Carmine Lawrence Gentile
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
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Bill H.4684 194th (Current)
An Act ensuring law enforcement identification and public trust
By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James K. Hawkins and others relative to penalties for law enforcement officers wearing masks or personal disguises while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties. The Judiciary.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: James K. Hawkins
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Committee Vote Committee Summary Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 8 actions for Bill H.4684
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 7/17/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on House Rules |
| 10/2/2025 | House | Reported, referred to the committee on Joint Rules, reported, rules suspended and referred to the committee on The Judiciary |
| 10/30/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 11/14/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 11/25/2025 from 10:00 AM-05:00 PM in A-2 |
| 11/25/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 11/25/2025 from 10:00 AM-04:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time |
| 11/26/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 11/25/2025 from 10:00 AM-05:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time |
| House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order | |
| 3/26/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) |
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