Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts S1035: An Act relative to increasing transparency in juvenile court proceedings
Status: Failed, July 22, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. Section 38 of chapter 119, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting before the terms “ All hearings” the following:- (a); And further by striking the following: “ 38A, inclusive, except those related to court orders not to resuscitate or withdrawal life-sustaining medical treatment for children in the custody of the department under a care and protection order, shall be closed to the general public. It shall be unlawful to publish the names of person before the court in any closed hearing.” and inserting in place thereof the following:- 72, inclusive, shall be open to the general public. Members of the public, including the news media, shall have access to all courtrooms, lobbies, public waiting areas, and other common areas of the juvenile court otherwise open to individuals having business before the court. (b) The general public or any person may be excluded from a courtroom only if the judge presiding in the courtroom determines there is a compelling reason based on a factual determination using supporting evidence, that such exclusion is warranted. In exercising this discretion, the judge may consider, among other factors, whether: (1) the person is causing or is likely to cause a disruption in the proceedings; (2) the presence of the person is objected to by one of the …
Sponsors
- William Brownsberger (D, Suffolk and Middlesex) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3199
- : Reporting date extended to Tuesday June 30, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Thursday April 2, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Monday March 2, 2026
- : Hearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Hearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : House concurred
- : Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
Common questions
- What is S1035?
- S1035 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to increasing transparency in juvenile court proceedings.
- What is the status of S1035?
- Failed as of July 22, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3199 (July 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored S1035?
- William Brownsberger (D, Suffolk and Middlesex).
- Where is the official record for S1035?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1035
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.