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S 1262MASSACHUSETTSSession 194thState Billin committee

Massachusetts Senate Bill 1262 increases prison sentences and fines for hate crimes

Original title: An Act relative to hate crimes

Last action · February 26, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and MeansSponsor: Bruce Tarr

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Massachusetts bill S.1262 doubles prison sentence maximums and substantially raises monetary fines for individuals convicted of hate crimes.

Why it matters

Increases the maximum possible incarceration time from five to ten years and doubles the financial penalties associated with hate crime convictions.

Background

Senate Bill 1262 is a petition filed in the Massachusetts General Court relative to hate crimes. 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.

Directly affected

individuals convicted of hate crimes

Individuals convicted under this statute face longer maximum prison terms and higher monetary fines.

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 does Senate Bill 1262 change?

It amends Section 39 of Chapter 265 of the General Laws to double maximum prison sentences and increase monetary fine amounts for hate crimes.

Where are individuals now subject to being imprisoned under the updated terms?

The bill replaces references to a with for certain offenses.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

7 actions

Feb 26, 2026SenateCommittee
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
Feb 12, 2026Senate
Reporting date extended to Monday March 2, 2026
Nov 26, 2025Joint
Hearing rescheduled to 11/25/2025 from 10:00 AM-05:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
Nov 25, 2025Joint
Hearing rescheduled to 11/25/2025 from 10:00 AM-04:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
Nov 14, 2025Joint
Hearing scheduled for 11/25/2025 from 10:00 AM-05:00 PM in A-2
Feb 27, 2025House
House concurred

Show 1 earlier action

Feb 27, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred 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.

Connected Entities

Senate Ways and Means, The Judiciary, Bruce Tarr

OrganizationSenate Ways and Means“Committee to which the bill was referred”Map →

OrganizationThe Judiciary“Committee initially reviewing the petition”Map →

PersonBruce Tarr“Primary sponsor of Senate Bill 1262”Map →

Sources

Open source document

malegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy50
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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