The US Protest Law Tracker follows state and federal legislation introduced since January 2017 that restricts the right to peaceful assembly. For more information, visit our Analysis of US Anti-Protest Bills page.
Latest updates: Apr. 15, 2024 (Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana), Apr. 3, 2024 (Arizona), Mar. 27, 2024 (West Virginia)
8 entries matching in provided filters in 1 states. Clear all filters
Massachusetts
HD 1358: NEW PENALTIES FOR PROTESTS THAT BLOCK ROADS
Would penalize "any person who intentionally blocks or prevents access to a public roadway or highway while protesting with the express purpose of preventing passage of others." Under the bill, anyone who intentionally blocked a public road in the course of a protest could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison. This bill is nearly identical to HB 1586, introduced in 2021, and HB 1428, introduced in 2019. (See full text of bill here)
Status: pending
Introduced 18 Jan 2023.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
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Massachusetts
HD 1348: NEW CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR DEATHS DURING PROTESTS
Would create the new criminal offense of "manslaughter caused by reckless disregard of life while protesting or blocking highway or roadway access." The offense would be added to the definition of "manslaughter" under Massachusetts law. Accordingly, if organizers led a protest onto a road and a protester was hit by a car, e.g., the organizers could potentially be held liable for manslaughter under the bill. The offense would be punishable by up to twenty years in prison. The bill is nearly identical to HD 3284, introduced in 2019. (See full text of bill here)
Status: pending
Introduced 18 Jan 2023.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
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Massachusetts
HB 1586: New penalties for protests that block roads
Would penalize "any person who intentionally blocks or prevents access to a public roadway or highway while protesting with the express purpose of preventing passage of others." Under the bill, anyone who intentionally blocked a public road in the course of a protest could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison. This bill is nearly identical to HB 1428 introduced in 2019. (See full text of bill here)
Status: defeated / expired
Introduced 28 Jan 2021.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
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Massachusetts
HB 1428: New penalties for protests that block roads
Would penalize "any person who intentionally blocks or prevents access to a public roadway or highway while protesting with the express purpose of preventing passage of others." Under the bill, anyone who intentionally blocked a public road in the course of a protest could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison. (See full text of bill here)
Status: defeated / expired
Introduced 22 Jan 2019.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
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Massachusetts
HB 3284: New criminal liability for deaths during protests
Would create the new criminal offense of "manslaughter caused by reckless disregard of life while protesting or blocking highway or roadway access." The offense would be added to the definition of "manslaughter" under Massachusetts law. Accordingly, if organizers led a protest onto a road and a protester was hit by a car, e.g., the organizers could potentially be held liable for manslaughter under the bill. The offense would be punishable by up to twenty years in prison. (See full text of bill here)
Status: defeated / expired
Introduced 22 Jan 2019.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
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Massachusetts
S 1036: Heightened penalties for blocking traffic
Would penalize anyone who obstructs or attempts to obstruct "the normal movement of traffic, commerce, or any emergency medical services on a limited access or express state highway" in a manner that is dangerous to the general public. Under the bill, whoever commits this act could be punished up to 10 years in jail. (See full text of bill here)
Status: defeated / expired
Introduced 22 Jan 2019.
Issue(s): Traffic Interference
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Massachusetts
HB 1588: Prohibition on masked demonstrations
Would compel the immediate dispersal of a demonstration or other assembly of people wearing masks or other disguises. The bill provides that if a group of five or more individuals who are "masked or in any manner disguised by unusual or unnatural attire or facial alteration" assemble together, authorities should command them to disperse. If the assembly does not immediately disperse, they are deemed a riot or unlawful assembly and the authorities can compel anyone present to help "suppress" the assembly and arrest those participating. The bill makes no exception for religious or festive attire. Nor does it require any malicious intent by those assembling or conduct beyond wearing masks and assembling in a group. (See full text of bill here)
Status: defeated / expired
Introduced 17 Jan 2019.
Issue(s): Face Covering, Riot
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Massachusetts
HB 916: New penalties for protesters who block traffic
Would provide for harsh new penalties for individuals who impede traffic in the course of a protest or demonstration. The bill creates a broad offense of intentionally blocking, obstructing, impeding or otherwise interfering with the "normal and reasonable movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic" on a public street or highway, punishable by up to $5,000 and a year in jail. Under the bill, police may arrest without a warrant any person they have probable cause to believe has unlawfully impeded traffic. The bill further makes any person convicted of unlawfully impeding traffic liable for the costs incurred by public and/or private emergency services in responding to the incident. (See full text of bill here)
Status: defeated / expired
Introduced 30 Jun 2017.
Issue(s): Security Costs, Traffic Interference
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