MA
Massachusetts House Bill H1566

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H1566

Introduced
2/16/23  

Caption

Relative to judicial security act

Impact

The implications of the Massachusetts Judicial Security Act are significant, as it creates stringent regulations regarding the handling of sensitive information of judicial officials. Agencies at the state, county, and municipal levels are prohibited from disclosing personal information without lawful permission. This ensures that judicial officials can operate with a level of privacy previously unavailable, which could potentially deter acts of intimidation and provide them with a secure space to perform their duties without fear of personal retaliations or harm.

Summary

House Bill 1566, known as the Massachusetts Judicial Security Act, has been introduced to enhance the safety and privacy of judicial officials and their families. This Act aims to restrict the public posting or displaying of personal information of protected individuals, which include justices and judges, without their explicit consent. The bill establishes clear definitions for terms such as 'personal information' and 'data broker' to ensure that the law is effectively implemented and understood. By fortifying these protections, the bill emphasizes the need to safeguard those who serve in the judiciary from potential threats arising from public exposure of their personal details.

Contention

Notably, the bill addresses the role of data brokers, making it unlawful for them to sell or disclose the personal information of judicial officials. Violations of this act can lead to legal consequences where affected individuals can seek injunctions and declare damages. However, as with any bill that seeks to establish robust protections, there may be discussions surrounding the balance between public access to government information and the necessary privacy protections for those in the judiciary. The debate on the effectiveness and implications of such restrictions may arise as stakeholders evaluate the best practices for maintaining judicial integrity while ensuring safety.

Companion Bills

MA S1133

Similar To To establish the Massachusetts judicial security act

MA H4517

Replaced by Study Order

Previously Filed As

MA H1766

Relative to judicial security

MA S1133

To establish the Massachusetts judicial security act

MA S1278

To establish the Massachusetts judicial security act

MA H5892

Protects the personal information of judicial officers and their immediate family members who serve or have served the RI unified judicial system, as well as judicial officers who reside in RI and who serve or have served in the federal courts.

MA HB2794

Members of the State Judiciary; Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2023; notice; at-risk individuals; confidential information; Administrative Director of the Courts; penalty; effective date.

MA HB2794

Members of the State Judiciary; Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2023; notice; at-risk individuals; confidential information; Administrative Director of the Courts; penalty; effective date.

MA S0581

Protect the personal information of judicial officers and their immediate family members who serve or have served the RI unified judicial system, as well as judicial officers who reside in RI and who serve or have served in the federal courts.

MA HB2289

Judicial and elected official security and privacy; creating the Oklahoma Elected Official and Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2025; effective date; emergency.

MA SB646

Judicial and federal official security and privacy; creating the Oklahoma Federal Official and Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2025. Effective date. Emergency.

MA HB669

Provides relative to judicial security (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.