Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H2057: An Act ensuring the safety and dignity of first responders (Halo Act)
Status: Failed, March 26, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION ONE. Chapter 271 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:- Section 52. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:- “First responder”, shall include any law enforcement officer, a paid, call, reserve or volunteer firefighter, a paid, call, reserve or volunteer emergency medical technician, or any other person whose usual and regular duties include rendering assistance at the scene of a crime, accident or other emergency. “Harass”, means to willfully engage in a course of conduct directed at a first responder which intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that first responder and serves no legitimate purpose. (b) No person, after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person he or she knows or reasonably should know is a first responder and who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, shall knowingly and willfully violate such warning and approach or remain within 25 feet of the first responder with the intent to impede or interfere with the first responder’s ability to perform such duty, threaten the first responder with physical harm, or harass the first responder. (c) Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 for the first offense, and …
Sponsors
- Steven Xiarhos (R, 5th Barnstable) · primary sponsor
- Justin Thurber (R)
- James Arena-DeRosa (D)
- Patrick O'Connor (R, First Plymouth and Norfolk)
- Kelly Dooner (R)
- Margaret Scarsdale (D)
- Marcus Vaughn (R)
- Steven Howitt (R, 4th Bristol)
- Donald Wong (R, 9th Essex)
- Tarr, Andrew (D, 5th Essex)
- Hannah Kane (R, 11th Worcester)
- Michael Moore (D, Second Worcester)
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
- : Hearing scheduled for 09/23/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
- : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
Common questions
- What is H2057?
- H2057 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act ensuring the safety and dignity of first responders (Halo Act).
- What is the status of H2057?
- Failed as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored H2057?
- Steven Xiarhos (R, 5th Barnstable), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H2057?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2057
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.