Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H1594: An Act relative to controlling and abusive litigation
Status: Failed, March 26, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 209D the following chapter:- Chapter 209E. Controlling and Abusive Litigation Prevention Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: “Abuse”, as defined in section 1 of chapter 209A. "Controlling and abusive litigation", litigation where the following apply: (a)(i) The opposing parties have a current or former family or household member relationship; (ii) The party who is filing, initiating, advancing or continuing the litigation has been found by a court to have committed abuse against the other party pursuant to an order entered under chapters 208, 209, 209A, 209C or 258E, or who is found after a hearing in the instant case, to have committed abuse or harassment against the other party that may have warranted the issue of an order under said chapters; and (iii) The litigation is being initiated, advanced or continued primarily for the purpose of abusing, harassing, intimidating, threatening or maintaining contact with the other party; and (b) At least 1 of the following factors apply: (i) Claims, allegations or other legal contentions made in the litigation are not warranted by existing law or by a reasonable argument for the extension, modification or reversal of existing law, or the establishment of new law; (ii) …
Sponsors
- Natalie Blais (D, 1st Franklin) · primary sponsor
- David Rogers (D, 24th Middlesex)
- Adrian Madaro (D)
- James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
- James Arena-DeRosa (D)
- Kristin Kassner (D)
- Edward Philips (D, 8th Norfolk)
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex)
- Steven Xiarhos (R, 5th Barnstable)
- Carmine Gentile (D)
- Puppolo, Jr., Angelo J. (D, 12th Hampden)
- Tara Hong (D)
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
- : Hearing scheduled for 06/03/2025 from 01:00 PM-09:00 PM in A-2
- : Hearing scheduled for 06/03/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
- : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
Common questions
- What is H1594?
- H1594 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to controlling and abusive litigation.
- What is the status of H1594?
- Failed as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored H1594?
- Natalie Blais (D, 1st Franklin), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H1594?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1594
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.