HOUSE . . . . . . . . No. 4331
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, February 8, 2024.
The committee on the Judiciary to whom was referred the petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 1490) of Carole A. Fiola and Paul A.
Schmid, III relative to authorizing electronic signatures for criminal
complaints, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No.
4331) ought to pass.
For the committee,
MICHAEL S. DAY. 1 of 2
FILED ON: 2/5/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4331
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to authorizing electronic signatures for criminal complaints.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 22 of chapter 276 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 4, after the word “subscribed” the
3following words:- , electronically or in person.
4 SECTION 2. Said section 22 of said chapter 276 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
5hereby further amended by inserting, in line 7, after the word “Procedure.” the following words:-
6A law enforcement officer acting as complainant, may, if submitting a complaint electronically,
7in lieu of being examined on oath by a justice, subscribe to the complaint electronically under the
8pains and penalties of perjury.
9 SECTION 3. Section 2 of chapter 275 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
10amended by inserting, in line 5, after the word “subscribed” the following words:- ,
11electronically or in person,.
12 SECTION 4. Said section 2 of said chapter 275 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
13hereby further amended by inserting, in line 5, after the word “complainant.” the following 2 of 2
14words:- A law enforcement officer acting as complainant, may, if submitting a complaint
15electronically, in lieu of being examined on oath by such court or a justice, subscribe to the
16complaint electronically under the pains and penalties of perjury.