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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 418 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 577
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Peter J. Durant
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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 the use of crossbows in hunting.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Peter J. DurantWorcester and HampshireDonald R. Berthiaume, Jr.5th Worcester2/3/2025Christopher M. Markey9th Bristol2/7/2025Joseph D. McKenna18th Worcester2/7/2025Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex2/27/2025 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 418 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 577
By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 577) of Peter J. Durant, Donald R.
Berthiaume, Jr., Christopher M. Markey, Joseph D. McKenna and others for legislation relative
to the use of crossbows in hunting. Environment and Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 494 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 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.