Representative Steven S. Howitt supports creation of new Blue Star Family distinctive registration plate

Will honor Massachusetts law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty

Boston – Massachusetts law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty will soon be honored with a special distinctive registration plate made available to their surviving family members under proposed legislation backed by State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk).

House Bill 5439, An Act honoring Blue Star Families, was engrossed by the House of Representatives on May 20 on a vote of 156-0. The bill is a redrafted version of legislation that was unanimously approved by the Senate on January 15 as Senate Bill 2903 by a vote of 38-0.

Under both the House and Senate bills, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles will be directed to create a new “Blue Star Family” license plate and motorcycle emblem. Representative Howitt noted that the Senate version requires a plate or emblem to be made available free of charge to the parent, child, or spouse of a Massachusetts law enforcement officer who was killed in the line of duty, while the House bill expands eligibility to also include an officer’s sibling or grandchild.

A total of 427 police officers have been killed in the line of duty in Massachusetts. A memorial located near the Bowdoin Street entrance to the State House honors their service and sacrifice.

Several members of the House Republican Caucus spoke during floor debate on the bill, recalling police officers from their district who lost their lives while protecting the public. They emphasized the importance of honoring not only these fallen officers, but also the loved ones they left behind.

House Bill 5439 will now go to the Senate for concurrence in the amendment.