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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3119 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1469
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Kate Donaghue
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the repeal or reform of certain unenforceable or unconstitutional archaic laws
on religion, piety, and morality.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Kate Donaghue19th Worcester1/20/2023Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire1/20/2023Patrick Joseph Kearney4th Plymouth2/16/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3119 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1469
By Representative Donaghue of Westborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1469)
of Kate Donaghue, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to the repeal or
reform of certain archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality. The Judiciary.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to the repeal or reform of certain unenforceable or unconstitutional archaic laws
on religion, piety, and morality.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 30 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.
2 SECTION 2. Section 31 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
3striking the first sentence.
4 SECTION 3. Section 15 of Chapter 233 is hereby amended by striking the wording in its
5entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:- In all cases in which an oath or affirmation
6of truthfulness is required by law, the oath or affirmation shall make no religious reference and
7the person administrating the oath or affirmation shall require only that the person taking the
8oath or affirmation hold up his or her hand and affirm that the testimony or declaration is truthful
9and, when appropriate, made under the penalties of perjury.
10 SECTION 4. Sections 16 through 19 of Chapter 233 of the General Laws are hereby
11repealed. 2 of 2
12 SECTION 5. Section 26 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.
13 SECTION 6. Section 29 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.
14 SECTION 7. Section 34 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.
15 SECTION 8. Section 35 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.
16 SECTION 9. Section 36 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.