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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4221 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2701
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael J. Soter and Kenneth P. Sweezey
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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 promote and protect safety in the Commonwealth.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Michael J. Soter8th Worcester1/17/2025Kenneth P. Sweezey6th Plymouth1/17/2025Sheriff Lewis EvangelidisWorcester County1/17/2025Sheriff Joseph McDonaldPlymouth County1/17/2025Peter J. DurantWorcester and Hampshire1/22/2025Marc T. Lombardo22nd Middlesex1/24/2025Joseph D. McKenna18th Worcester1/24/2025Steven George Xiarhos5th Barnstable1/27/2025David F. DeCoste5th Plymouth1/27/2025Patrick Joseph Kearney4th Plymouth1/27/2025Kelly A. DoonerThird Bristol and Plymouth1/27/2025Steven S. Howitt4th Bristol1/27/2025John R. Gaskey2nd Plymouth1/28/2025Paul K. Frost7th Worcester1/29/2025John J. Marsi6th Worcester1/29/2025Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.5th Worcester2/4/2025Michael S. Chaisson1st Bristol2/5/2025Ryan C. FattmanWorcester and Hampden2/13/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4221 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2701
By Representatives Soter of Bellingham and Sweezey of Duxbury, a petition (accompanied by
bill, House, No. 2701) of Michael J. Soter, Kenneth P. Sweezey and others for legislation to
promote and protect safety in the Commonwealth. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
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 to promote and protect safety in the Commonwealth.
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. Chapter 276 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2section 20R the following section:-
3 Section 20S. (a) Any employee of the Commonwealth considered a court officer pursuant
4to Chapter 221 Sections 69A, 70A, 71A of the General Laws or any state, county or local law
5enforcement officer, who has lawful custody of a person may, upon receipt of a written request
6from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement requesting detention of such person
7on the grounds that there is probable cause that such person is a removable alien, detain such
8person for a reasonable period of time after such person would otherwise be released from
9custody in order to transfer custody of such person to United States Immigration and Customs
10Enforcement, provided that such person be provided with a copy of such written request; and
11further provided that in no circumstances shall such detention exceed 36 hours. 2 of 2
12 (b) This section shall not be construed to give rise to a private right of action and shall not
13be construed so as to make unlawful any arrest in this commonwealth which would otherwise be
14lawful.
15 SECTION 2. Chapter 276 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting at the end
16the following section: -
17 Section 104. In determining original bail, and any subsequent bail pursuant to sections
1820D, 20E, 20F, 29, 42, 42A, 56A, 57, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 68, 70, 82, 82A, of Chapter 276 the
19Judicial Officer presiding over the status of the bail hearing of the individual shall consider the
20existence of an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Detainer request from the United States
21Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Office. If a written request from United States
22Immigration and Customs Enforcement requesting detention of such person on the grounds that
23there is probable cause that such person is a removable alien and (2) an administrative warrant
24for arrest or warrant of removal/deportation exists then the Judicial Officer shall have grounds to
25withhold or modify bail pending action on the request from Immigrations and Customs
26Enforcement.