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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts updates hunter harassment laws, establishing penalties up to five years in prison and $10,000 fines
Last action · December 18, 2025: Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S2886Sponsor: Mike Moore
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What This Bill Would Do
Massachusetts bill S.1202 establishes clear protections for individuals legally harvesting fish and wildlife, prohibiting intentional interference, equipment vandalism, and unauthorized land postings. Violators face criminal penalties ranging from one to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000, while collected fines are directed to the for hunter education.
Hunters and anglers gain explicit statutory protections against physical interference and harassment while engaging in outdoor activities on public and private lands. At the same time, activists and residents face heightened criminal exposure, including potential felony-level prison terms for actions causing bodily injury.
- State hunter harassment laws are designed to protect licensed hunters, trappers, and anglers from intentional obstruction and interference while on public or private lands. context
- Michael O. Moore serves in the Massachusetts Senate representing the Second Worcester district. context
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.
Hunters and anglers
Receive explicit statutory protections and civil remedies against harassment, interference, and equipment vandalism while harvesting fish and wildlife.
Property owners
Face restrictions against illegally posting land as closed to lawful harvesting and see trespass prohibitions reinforced around harvesting activities.
Law enforcement officers
Gain explicit authorization to enforce hunter harassment provisions and issue arrests for violations.
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
What actions are considered illegal harassment under this bill?
Can private landowners restrict hunting on their own property?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- Dec 18, 2025SenateAccompanied a study order (under JR10), see S2886
- Oct 14, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 04/08/2025 from 01:00 PM-02:30 PM in A-2
- Apr 1, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 04/08/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- Feb 27, 2025HouseHouse concurred
- Feb 27, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to the committee on The Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Stiffened Penalties for Harassment and Vandalism
The bill creates a tiered penalty structure scaling from $1,000 fines for basic harassment to $10,000 fines and 5-year prison terms when bodily injury occurs.
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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