Massachusetts provides flags of the Commonwealth and United States to next of kin of line-of-duty fallen police officers and firefighters

Original title: An Act providing the next of kin of a police officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty with the flags of the Commonwealth and the United States

Last action · October 2, 2025: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and MeansSponsors: Bruce Tarr and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Official description

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1910) of Bruce E. Tarr and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to provide the next of kin of a police officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty with the flags of the Commonwealth and the United States. Public Service.

Why it matters

The measure establishes a state-funded provision of official flags for families of officers and firefighters who lose their lives from line-of-duty hazards, shifting costs to the state budget.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Next of kin of police officers and firefighters

Next of kin receive a flag of the Commonwealth and a flag of the United States at state expense during the memorial service.

Directly affected

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The Commonwealth must bear the cost of the flags provided during the memorial services.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to receive the flags under this bill?

The of a sworn municipal police officer, state police officer, or municipal firefighter who is killed, dies from injuries, or dies as a result of a hazard peculiar to their employment while performing their duty.

Who pays for the flags provided to the family?

The cost of the flags is borne by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

4 actions

Oct 2, 2025SenateCommittee
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
May 1, 2025Joint
Hearing scheduled for 05/07/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
Feb 27, 2025House
House concurred
Feb 27, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred to the committee on Public Service

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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