Police reform debate stalls
Lawmakers are taking their time hashing out differences between House and Senate versions of a police reform bill that promises to shake up policing in Massachusetts.
“We continue with active deliberations and we continue to hear from parties from across the state on both sides,” said Rep. Timothy Whelan, a former State Trooper who is one of six legislators working to negotiate differences between the two branches’ bills.
Lawmakers vowed to deliver swift action on police reform last month as mass protests against police brutality and the killings of unarmed Black people swept the nation. But their efforts have slowed after the Legislature made the unprecedented move to extend the two-year session past its typical July 31 end.
Discussion on the bill has moved behind closed doors as House and Senate delegates work to reconcile competing versions that differ in their handling of qualified immunity, facial recognition technology and noknock warrants, to name a few issues.
Lawmakers are prohibited from talking about ongoing discussions as all conference committee debate is being held in executive session.
“We’re still working at it,” Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz’s office said Thursday. Chang-Diaz helped craft the Senate version of the bill and is a proponent of strong reform.
Senators and representatives on the committee said they welcome testimony from members of the public as they continue deliberations.