Brothers and Sisters 

Last weekend the Massachusetts House of Representatives had voted 93-66 in favor of S.2080. The next step in the legislative process is for the bill to go to Conference  Committee, which will be comprised of three Senators and three House Reps, to work out the differences between the two versions of the bill. 

Senate Conferees have been named for the POST conference committee. They are: Sens. William Brownsberger, Sonia Chang-Diaz and Bruce Tarr. 

House Conferees-Reps: Claire Cronin, Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Chair Carlos Gonzalez, and Rep. Timothy Whelan.

Although the legislative session was scheduled to end on July 31st, citing COVID-19 delays and pending important legislation, the law makers have voted in favor of extending this years session, meaning that although the deadline of July 31 has passed, the bill is very much still in the process. The following was sent to our Association by the Legislative Coalition, which was referenced in our last email. 

“We urge the committee to report a bill that recognizes the core principles of reform developed and endorsed by the Governor, the Black and Latino Caucus and the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Policy Group. Those principles provide for uniform statewide standards and training protocols for law enforcement which are the following:

Banning teaching and usage of choke holds- (unless life or death situation)

Banning Discharges at moving vehicles- (unless life or death situation)

Department Accreditation and Officer certification 

Standard training and procedures

Uniform guidelines on Use of Force

Excessive Force 

Duty to Intervene by officers on other uses of force

Equal representation for LE on Commission to certify and de-certify police officers (after current due process has run its course completely)

On the issue of Qualified Immunity, we support a study by legal experts before any changes”

We encourage all our members to contact your representatives and discuss the talking points listed in this memo. As always if there is any questions or concerns, please contact an E-Board member.

Fraternally,

The E-Board