Massachusetts 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S494 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/16/2023

                    1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 33       FILED ON: 1/10/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 494
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Anne M. Gobi
_________________
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 relative to the use of crossbows in hunting.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Anne M. GobiWorcester and HampshireRyan C. FattmanWorcester and Hampden2/27/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 33       FILED ON: 1/10/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 494
By Ms. Gobi, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 494) of Anne M. Gobi and Ryan C. 
Fattman for legislation relative to the use of crossbows in hunting. Environment and Natural 
Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 536 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act relative to the use of crossbows in hunting.
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 64 of chapter 131, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is 
2hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2 and 3, the words “, or any crossbow, except as 
3provided in section 69, nor” and inserting in place thereof the following the word:- nor.
4 SECTION 2. Said chapter 131 is hereby further amended by striking out section 69, as so 
5appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
6 Section 69. A person shall not carry or use a bow and arrow or crossbow while hunting 
7unless the bow and arrow or crossbow meet the requirements of the rules and regulations which 
8shall be promulgated by the director. Such rules and regulations shall prescribe general design,  2 of 2
9weight of pull and type of bows and arrows or crossbows and shall conform to standards 
10generally accepted for hunting purposes.