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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts bill requires police to provide domestic violence shelter notice and native-language translation
Last action · March 26, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)Sponsor: Carlos González
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What This Bill Would Do
Police officers responding to domestic incidents must inform individuals of local domestic violence shelters and provide that notice in the person's native language whenever possible using translation services or written translation.
Expands communication requirements for law enforcement interacting with non-English speakers during domestic violence incidents.
- Carlos González is a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing Springfield. context
- Chapter 209A of the Massachusetts General Laws governs abuse prevention and domestic violence protective orders. 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.
Law enforcement officers
Officers must provide domestic violence shelter notices and ensure they are translated into non-English speakers' native languages when possible.
Non-English speakers
Individuals whose native language is not English receive domestic violence shelter notices in their primary language.
Key Facts
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are police required to do under this bill?
How must the translation be delivered?
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- Mar 26, 2026HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
- Oct 20, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- Sep 3, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 1:00PM-5:00 PM in A-2 and virtual
- Feb 27, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Feb 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred 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.
Study Order Companion
The bill accompanied a study order under House Rule 27, linking to H5281.
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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