BOSTON â The Massachusetts House has approved a revised version of a police accountability bill and sent it back to the desk of Gov. Charlie Baker who has indicated he would sign it.
The Republican governor sent the original bill approved this month back to lawmakers for revisions, included loosening proposed limits on the use of facial recognition technology. The governor said he opposed the bill s moratorium on facial recognition technology, pointing out that it helped convict a child rapist and an accomplice to a double murder in recent years.
The bill would also create a civilian-led commission to standardize the certification, training and decertification of police officers in the state.
Updated on December 31, 2020 at 2:08 pm
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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed a revised policing reform bill that was approved by the Legislature last week.
The House voted 107-51 and the Senate took a voice vote to re-enact the bill, which has drawn opposition from police but maintained the momentum that grew over the summer out of outrage over police violence toward Black Americans. This bill is the product of bipartisan cooperation and thanks to the Black and Latino Caucus’ leadership on the hugely important issue of law enforcement accountability, Massachusetts will have one of the best laws in the nation, Baker said in a statement announcing the bill s signing. Police officers have enormously difficult jobs and we are grateful they put their lives on the line every time they go to work. Thanks to final negotiations on this bill, police officers will have a system they can trust and our communities will be safer for it.
Updated on December 31, 2020 at 2:07 pm
Getty Images
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed a revised policing reform bill that was approved by the Legislature last week.
The House voted 107-51 and the Senate took a voice vote to re-enact the bill, which has drawn opposition from police but maintained the momentum that grew over the summer out of outrage over police violence toward Black Americans. This bill is the product of bipartisan cooperation and thanks to the Black and Latino Caucus’ leadership on the hugely important issue of law enforcement accountability, Massachusetts will have one of the best laws in the nation, Baker said in a statement announcing the bill s signing. Police officers have enormously difficult jobs and we are grateful they put their lives on the line every time they go to work. Thanks to final negotiations on this bill, police officers will have a system they can trust and our communities will be safer for it.
House accepts revised police accountability bill, putting it on the verge of becoming law
Governor Baker has already pledged to sign bill once it hits his desk
By Matt Stout Globe Staff,Updated December 22, 2020, 11:05 p.m.
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Boston police outside the District 2 Police Station where protesters marched in May. Under the bill, a system for certifying police officers in Massachusetts would be instituted for the first time.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The Massachusetts House on Tuesday approved a revised version of a sweeping policing bill, making it all but certain the state will soon enact legislation that emerged after protests over police misconduct and the death of George Floyd gripped Massachusetts and beyond.