Rep. Steven Xiarhos, Joined by Tidman Family, Urges Passage of “Matt’s Law” After Emotional State House Testimony
June 27, 2025
BOSTON – State Representative Steven Xiarhos (R – 5th Barnstable District) joined the parents of Corrections Officer Matt Tidman today in delivering powerful testimony before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, calling for the passage of “Matt’s Law.”
The legislation was filed in response to the brutal 2022 attack on Officer Tidman, who was nearly beaten to death in broad daylight by an inmate using a piece of free weight equipment inside a secure Massachusetts state prison. The assault left him with life-altering injuries and has sparked urgent calls for reform.
Matt’s Law seeks to prevent future tragedies by requiring that no free weights or free-standing exercise equipment that could be used as weapons be allowed inside state correctional facilities. The bill also calls for increased protections and accountability when it comes to inmate violence against staff.
“This isn’t just about one incident—this is about preventing the next one,” said Rep. Xiarhos. “We have a duty to protect those who put their lives on the line every day behind the walls to keep our communities safe. There is no reason dangerous equipment like this should be accessible to inmates. Matt’s Law is common sense and long overdue.”
Officer Tidman’s parents delivered heartfelt and emotional testimony describing the trauma of receiving the call that their son had been violently attacked, seeing him unconscious in a hospital bed with a crushed skull and multiple other injuries, and watching him fight through a painful and ongoing recovery.
Rep. Xiarhos also expressed deep appreciation for his colleague and longtime friend State Representative Richard Wells, who offered strong support for the legislation, as well as Corrections Officer Kevin Flanagan and the many corrections professionals and families who submitted testimony.
The committee is accepting written testimony for the next 60 days. Those who wish to support Matt’s Law may email testimony to:
JointCommittee.PublicSafety@malegislature.gov
“We’re hopeful for a favorable report from the committee,” Rep. Xiarhos added. “And we will keep fighting to pass this bill—in honor of Matt, and in support of every courageous corrections officer across the Commonwealth.”
###
