Massachusetts 194th General Court Status: Introduced 1 R cosponsors

S1215 — An Act providing a defense to prosecution for violations of the wiretap law for interceptions made to make a record of threats, harassment or other crimes

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 194th General Court. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

The bill allows a legal defense for certain wiretap law violations.

This bill provides a defense against prosecution for individuals charged with violating wiretap laws when their actions were aimed at recording threats, harassment, or other crimes. It aims to offer protection for those recording criminal behavior.

Summary

An Act providing a defense to prosecution for violations of the wiretap law for interceptions made to make a record of threats, harassment or other crimes

Bill Text

  • Full text Current

How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing law to provide specific allowances for the interception and disclosure of communications related to threats, harassment, and crimes in divorce and custody matters.

  • Chapter 272, Section 99

    for any person to commit and interception, attempt to commit an interception or procure another to commit or attempt an interception, or to aid and abet or jointly commit or attempt to commit or procure an interception of any communication made by another to the person making the interception in circumstances under which the interception is made in order to make a record of threats, harassment, or other crimes in relation to divorce or child custody matters or in relation to orders issued under Chapter 209A or 258E.

    This insertion establishes specific conditions whereby intercepting communications in divorce or custody matters is defined as a permissible action.

  • Chapter 272, Section 99

    Any person who has committed an interception of any communication made by another in circumstances under which the interception is made to make a record of threats, harassment, or other crimes in relation to divorce or custody matters or in relation to orders issued under Chapter 209A or 258E may disclose said recording.

    This provision allows individuals who have legally intercepted communication under specified circumstances to disclose the recordings.

  • Chapter 272, Section 99

    Any person who has committed an interception of any communication made by another in circumstances under which the interception is made in order to make a record of threats, harassment, or other crimes in relation to divorce or child custody matters, or in relation to orders issued under Chapter 209A or 258E bears the burden of proof, in a prosecution for such interception, or attempt, or procurement of such interception, or for disclosure of such interception, to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that said conduct was exempt or permitted under this section.

    This change establishes that individuals who intercept communications under specified circumstances must prove that their actions were legally permissible if prosecuted.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 203 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (203)

203 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 203 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does S1215 do?
An Act providing a defense to prosecution for violations of the wiretap law for interceptions made to make a record of threats, harassment or other crimes
Who sponsors S1215?
S1215 is sponsored by Patrick M. O'Connor (Republican).
What is the current status of S1215?
This bill died with 194th General Court. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S1215?
Track S1215 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on S1215

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of S1215

Last checked for changes 4 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →