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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3323 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1641
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael S. Day
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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 relative to civil rights.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Michael S. Day31st Middlesex1/17/2025Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire2/11/2025Natalie M. Higgins4th Worcester2/11/2025Erika Uyterhoeven27th Middlesex2/11/2025Rebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex2/11/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3323 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1641
By Representative Day of Stoneham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1641) of
Michael S. Day and others relative to interference or attempted interference by threats,
intimidation or coercion in civil rights actions. The Judiciary.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4321 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to civil rights.
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 11H of chapter 12 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 9, after the word “secured”, the
3following:- ; provided, however, that in an action brought under this section against a law
4enforcement officer, as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E, for conduct under color of law, proof
5shall not be required that the interference or attempted interference was by threats, intimidation
6or coercion.
7 SECTION 2. Said section 11H of said chapter 12 of the General Laws, as so appearing,
8is hereby further amended by striking, in lines 39-41, the words “interference by threat,
9intimidation or coercion, or attempted interference by threats, intimidation or coercion,” and
10inserting in place thereof the following: - interference or attempted interference. 2 of 2
11 SECTION 3. Said section 11H of said chapter 12 of the General Laws, as so appearing, ,
12is hereby further amended by inserting, after subsection (b), the following subsection: -
13 (c) When granting a claim of immunity from civil liability in an action brought pursuant
14to this section or section 11I of this chapter against a law enforcement officer, as defined in
15section 1 of chapter 6E, the court shall also make a determination in writing as to whether the
16conduct alleged, if proven at trial, interfered with the exercise or enjoyment by any other person
17or persons of rights secured by the constitution or laws of the United States, or of rights secured
18by the constitution or laws of the commonwealth.
19 SECTION 4. Section 11I of said chapter 12 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
20hereby amended by inserting, in line 8, after the word “damages.” the following: - In an action
21brought under this section against a law enforcement officer, as defined in section 1 of chapter
226E, for conduct under color of law, proof shall not be required that the interference or attempted
23interference was by threats, intimidation or coercion.