In one paragraph
Massachusetts' 2020 police reform law (Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020) regulates police use of facial recognition. Under new G.L. c.6 s.220, a law enforcement agency may perform or request a facial recognition search only through a written request to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, State Police or FBI, and only with a court order, except to identify a deceased person or in an emergency. Each search must be documented and reported quarterly to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Section 220 took effect July 1, 2021; a special commission was set up to study government use of facial recognition.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
Facial recognition vendors cannot be used directly by Massachusetts police for searches; requests must go through the RMV, State Police or FBI, which limits direct sales to local agencies.
Key provisions
- Defines facial recognition, facial recognition search and biometric surveillance system (G.L. c.6 s.220)
- Searches only through a written request to the RMV, State Police or FBI, and only with a court order unless identifying a deceased person or in an emergency
- Each search documented (request, date, matches, database, requester, reason) and reported quarterly to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
- Section 105: special legislative commission to study government use of facial recognition technology
- Section 122 makes section 220 effective July 1, 2021; the act otherwise took effect on approval (emergency law)
Latest legislative action
Dec 31, 2020. Approved by the Governor December 31, 2020 - Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020
Topics and industries
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Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error