H 4640 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology

This bill restricts most law enforcement use of facial recognition technology in Massachusetts. It prohibits police agencies from acquiring or using facial recognition without specific legal authorization, except for limited exceptions like verifying identities for driver's licenses or investigating felonies with a warrant. The law requires strict documentation for emergency uses, mandates transparency by requiring law enforcement to share all technical details about facial recognition searches with defendants in criminal cases, and establishes public reporting requirements for all searches conducted. These provisions directly affect law enforcement agencies, public officials, and individuals involved in criminal cases where facial recognition was used.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Oct 23, 2025 Last action Oct 23, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Oct 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Oct 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on The Judiciary
lower
0 primary · 15 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.