Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts S2975: An Act protecting access to justice
Status: In committee, May 14, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 20, 2026:
The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 221 the following chapter:- Chapter 221A. Section 1. The following terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: "Civil arrest", an arrest that is not: (i) for the sole or primary purpose of preparing the person subject to such arrest for criminal prosecution, for an alleged violation of the criminal law of: (A) the commonwealth or another jurisdiction within the United States, for which a sentence of a term of imprisonment is authorized by law; or (B) the United States, for which a sentence of a term of imprisonment is authorized by law, and for which federal law requires an initial appearance before a federal judge, federal magistrate or other judicial officer, pursuant to the federal rules of criminal procedure that govern initial appearances; or (ii) for contempt of the court in which the court proceeding is taking place or will be taking place. "Courthouse", the interior of any facility or property in which a court of the commonwealth conducts business. "Courthouse grounds", the courthouse and any garage or parking lot owned by the judicial branch or under contract with or control of said branch, for the purpose of serving a courthouse, any walkways or sidewalks on the grounds of, contiguous …
Sponsors
- Lydia Edwards (D, Third Suffolk) · primary sponsor
- Salvatore DiDomenico (D, Middlesex and Suffolk)
- John Keenan (D, Norfolk and Plymouth)
- Thomas Moakley (D)
- Michael Rush (D, Norfolk and Suffolk)
- William Driscoll (D)
- Nick Collins (D, First Suffolk)
- Michelle DuBois (D, 10th Plymouth)
- Mindy Domb (D, 3rd Hampshire)
- Amy Sangiolo (D)
- Danillo Sena (D)
- Manny Cruz (D)
Latest actions
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- : Hearing scheduled for 04/07/2026 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Reporting date extended to Tuesday June 30, 2026
- : House concurred
- : Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
- : Rules suspended
- : Referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on the Judiciary (April 23, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is S2975?
- S2975 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act protecting access to justice.
- What is the status of S2975?
- In committee as of May 14, 2026. Latest action: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means (May 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored S2975?
- Lydia Edwards (D, Third Suffolk), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S2975?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2975
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.