Compatibility with Existing Laws and Policies
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, S.3085, aims to clarify and standardize the use of legal terms related to civil immigration enforcement within Massachusetts law. It amends Chapter 6 of the General Laws to define key terms like ‘civil immigration enforcement,’ ‘judicial warrant,’ and ‘law enforcement agency,’ and establishes guidelines for state agencies and private entities to handle interactions with law enforcement in this area. Additionally, it modifies Chapter 127 to protect detained individuals’ rights within state correctional facilities and Chapter 147 to limit law enforcement’s involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement actions. Finally, it adds a new section to Chapter 276 to provide guidance for court officers regarding potential deportations.
Key provisions
- Defines key terms related to civil immigration enforcement, including ‘civil immigration enforcement,’ ‘judicial warrant,’ and ‘law enforcement agency.’
- Prohibits state entities from allowing civil immigration enforcement activities unless required by law or for federally supported programs.
- Requires state agencies and private entities to provide multilingual guidelines on handling interactions with law enforcement involved in civil immigration enforcement.
- Modifies state correctional facilities to ensure access to legal counsel, notification of rights, and confidential communication channels for detained individuals.
- Limits law enforcement’s ability to inquire about immigration status and cooperate with federal immigration authorities except under specific circumstances.
- Establishes a rebuttable presumption of ‘helpfulness’ for victims of qualifying criminal activity seeking nonimmigrant visas.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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