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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2709 FILED ON: 7/27/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2514
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael O. Moore
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Michael O. MooreSecond Worcester 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2709 FILED ON: 7/27/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2514
By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O. Moore
for legislation to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings. Public Safety and
Homeland Security.
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 to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 143 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the
2following new section:-
3 Section 101. Temporary Door Locking Devices
4 Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary the executive office of public
5safety and security shall promulgate regulations to allow the use of temporary door locking
6devices for use in public buildings, and in consultation with the executive office of education and
7the Massachusetts school building authority, shall establish regulations regarding the use of
8temporary locking devices in school buildings. These regulations shall include, but not be limited
9to (1) circumstances under which temporary door locking devices may be used; (2) appropriate
10locations for temporary door locking devices and ensuring consistent operation throughout a
11building; (3) a local approval process, including consultation with the fire department and law
12enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the building; (4) integration of such devices into 2 of 2
13building safety plans and training programs; (5) in-service training on the use of the device by
14first responders and public employees; and (6) standards for annual inspections to ensure proper
15use and operation. Temporary door locking devices, as defined in this section, shall not be
16proscribed by any ordinance that prohibits a building from installing a barricade device.
17 For the purposes of this section, temporary door locking device shall mean, a device that
18prevents a door from opening, provided that the device (1) can be engaged or removed without
19opening the door; (2) can be engaged and removed from the egress side of the door without the
20use of a key, special knowledge or effort and removed from the ingress side of the door by
21appropriate personnel with the use of a key or other credential; (3) does not modify the door
22closer, panic hardware, or fire exit hardware; (4) is not permanently mounted to the door,
23although individual parts of the device assembly, including bolts, stops, brackets, and pins that
24do not prevent normal function of the door may be permanently mounted; (5) does not affect the
25fire rating of the door and complies with National Fire Protection Association fire rating
26standards; and (6) can be removed with a single operation once engaged, unless the building is
27equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system, in which case two operations may be
28permitted.