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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts Senate bill criminalizes solicitation of terrorist acts against life, property, and critical infrastructure
Last action · January 27, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and MeansSponsors: Bruce Tarr and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Massachusetts bill S.1769 establishes severe criminal penalties for soliciting, enticing, or communicating threats or crimes dangerous to human life, property, or . Violators face up to 20 years in prison or a $20,000 fine for life-threatening solicitations, up to life imprisonment if death results, and mandatory financial . The measure also directs the attorney general to review terrorism-related laws and report recommendations by May 1, 2026.
Creates new felony liabilities and mandatory financial for individuals convicted of communicating or publishing solicitations for crimes threatening public infrastructure, private property, or human lives.
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.
Individuals convicted of solicitation
Subject to new felony charges, increased prison sentences up to life imprisonment, fines, and mandatory financial restitution.
Victims of terrorism and property damage
Guaranteed court-ordered restitution from convicted defendants to cover incurred costs, damages, and financial losses.
Office of the Attorney General of the commonwealth
Required to conduct a comprehensive review of state terrorism laws and file a formal report with legislative committees by May 1, 2026.
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 constitutes soliciting under this bill?
What is the penalty if a solicited crime results in a human death?
Is there a statute of limitations for these offenses?
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
4 actions- Jan 27, 2026SenateCommitteeBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- Jun 20, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 06/26/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- Feb 27, 2025HouseHouse concurred
- Feb 27, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
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.
Establishment of Specific Terrorism Solicitation Offense
The bill fills a gap in Chapter 269 by explicitly criminalizing the communication and inducement of crimes against critical infrastructure and human life with severe tiered penalties.
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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