MA
Massachusetts Senate Bill S2612

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S2612

Introduced
2/8/24  
Refer
2/8/24  

Caption

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on the Judiciary to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to judicial matters.

Impact

The passage of S2612 could influence several facets of state law, particularly those related to judicial procedures and oversight. By facilitating an investigation, the bill may lead to recommendations that could reshape policy areas such as court access, legal representation, and community engagement in the judicial process. Additionally, this legislative effort reflects a commitment by the Massachusetts General Court to scrutinize existing judicial frameworks, ensuring they serve the public effectively and equitably. As a result, the bill holds the potential to instigate reforms impacting how justice is administered throughout the state.

Summary

Senate Bill S2612 aims to empower the Joint Committee on the Judiciary of Massachusetts to conduct an investigation and study on a range of existing Senate documents related to judicial matters. The initiative is set against the backdrop of ongoing discussions in the Commonwealth regarding various judicial reforms and the administration of justice, emphasizing the need for an inquiry into how current laws and policies can be improved. The bill is significant in that it addresses critical areas affecting the legal system, including court operations, public access to justice, and the rights of individuals within the legal framework.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding S2612 may arise regarding the scope of the investigation and the issues prioritized by the committee. Critics may argue that while an investigation is necessary, the breadth of what should be examined could divert attention from urgent reforms needed in areas such as equitable access to legal representation or the modernization of court technology. Furthermore, discussions may surface concerning the implications of legislative investigations on the independence of the judiciary and how such inquiries should be conducted to maintain public trust.

Executive_summary

In summary, Senate Bill S2612 represents a proactive step by the Massachusetts Legislature to address and investigate critical judicial matters affecting the state's legal landscape. The outcomes of this investigation could reverberate through various aspects of the judicial system, making it a timely and relevant legislative initiative as Massachusetts continues to evaluate and enhance its legal framework.

Latest S2612 Activity

Companion Bills

MA S1028

Replaces Relative to judicial discretion for probation

MA S1099

Replaces To protect survivors of domestic violence

MA S1002

Replaces Supporting survivors of trafficking and abuse and encouraging increased access to opportunities through expungement and/or sealing of records

MA S1054

Replaces To provide compensation for loss of income for victims of forced labor and sexual servitude

MA S1062

Replaces Extending the statute of limitations for certain actions involving international human rights abuses

MA S1118

Replaces Further clarifying dog bite liability

MA S987

Replaces Establishing a commission to study judicial accountability in the Commonwealth

MA S1008

Replaces Enhancing justice for families harmed by lead

MA S1124

Replaces Relative to crimes relating to distribution of controlled substances causing death

MA S1128

Replaces Updating the wiretap statutes in the Commonwealth

MA S957

Replaces Protecting black girls from targeted toxicity

MA S1094

Replaces Relative to bodily autonomy and family integrity

MA S1135

Replaces Establishing penalties for the filing of false reports against police officers

MA S1015

Replaces Prohibiting gunfire directed at dwelling houses

MA S1119

Replaces Relative to safe driving and open containers

MA S1131

Replaces To strengthen rules governing attorney conduct; penalties for misconduct

MA S989

Replaces Establishing the right of disposition

MA S1034

Replaces To enhance state anti-trust powers and enforcement

MA S985

Replaces Relative to the expansion of the Good Samaritan law

MA S979

Replaces Providing easier and greater access to record sealing

MA S1133

Replaces To establish the Massachusetts judicial security act

MA S931

Replaces Improving juvenile justice data collection

MA S908

Replaces To increase transparency in the Massachusetts land record systems to protect the property rights of homeowners and businesses

MA S943

Replaces Modernizing notary services

MA S986

Replaces Relative to hate crimes against police officers

MA S1120

Replaces To recover assets used in the commission of sexual offenses

MA S1096

Replaces To empower and protect survivors of domestic violence

MA S1110

Replaces Supporting consenting young adults

MA S967

Replaces Eradicating human trafficking and promoting transparency in the retail supply chain

MA S1019

Replaces Improving protections for sexual assault survivors

MA S966

Replaces Relative to health care proxy reform

MA S1030

Replaces Providing protection from child enticement

MA S905

Replaces To eliminate the public counsel fee

MA S953

Replaces To create access to justice

MA S1072

Replaces Updating hunter harassment laws

MA S1041

Replaces Relative to minimizing suffering during the commitment process

MA S1043

Replaces Protecting titles to real estate in Massachusetts

MA S935

Replaces Relating to costs of appeals by the Commonwealth

MA S1026

Replaces Relative to determining the best interest of children in probate and family court

MA S968

Replaces Reforming alimony in the Commonwealth

MA S958

Replaces Protecting employee free speech

MA S1042

Replaces Relative to appeals from the clerk-magistrates

MA S963

Replaces Relative to direct food donations

MA S1132

Replaces Relative to strategic litigation against public participation

MA S1088

Replaces Relative to the protection of police officers

MA S994

Replaces Preventing unnecessary vacancies in foreclosed homes

MA S992

Replaces Placing a moratorium on slaughterhouse infrastructure

MA S1065

Replaces To prevent unscrupulous medical debt recovery practices

MA S1006

Replaces Resolve relative to increasing racial diversity among judges in Massachusetts

MA S924

Replaces To amend the definition of hate crime

MA S1084

Replaces Relative to preventing ocean littering

MA S1085

Replaces Establishing a special commission relative to the uniformity of sex offender residency restrictions in the Commonwealth

MA S911

Replaces Relative to employees of private railroads

MA S1121

Replaces Relative to hate crimes

MA S965

Replaces Relative to fentanyl arrests

MA S1081

Replaces Improving access to fentanyl test strips and other drug checking equipment

MA S1117

Replaces Protecting bank employees and customers

MA S909

Replaces Relative to child-centered family law

MA S1086

Replaces Relative to juvenile offenders

MA S1049

Replaces Relative to diversion for primary caretakers

MA S952

Replaces Protecting survivors of rape and their children

MA S1021

Replaces Relative to rental protections for elderly, disabled and low-to-middle income tenants

MA S1067

Replaces Relative to public charity executive and board of directors compensation

MA S1091

Replaces Relative to visitation rights of grandparents

MA S918

Replaces Relative to due process

MA S1078

Replaces Establishing a bill of rights for survivors of sexual assault and related purposes

MA S1061

Replaces To enhance the lives of survivors of human trafficking

MA S1137

Replaces Relative to legal advertisements in online-only newspapers

MA S1116

Replaces Establishing a right to freedom from doxing

MA S1087

Replaces Relative to setting proportionate penalties for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil

MA S1095

Replaces Relative to drug induced homicide

MA S2294

Replaces Promoting motor vehicle safety

MA S948

Replaces Relative to protections for good samaritans

MA S1102

Replaces Relating to threats of suicide while in court custody (Stavri’s Law)

MA S975

Replaces Relative to the process for amending marriage certificates

MA S974

Replaces Relative to fiduciary access to digital assets

MA S1127

Replaces Relative to determining the best interest of children in probate and family court

MA S964

Replaces Relative to defacing property

MA S1075

Replaces Updating the Commonwealth's wiretap statutes

MA S937

Replaces To clarify the rights of joint owners of real property and abolish certain inconsistent or archaic rules

MA S999

Replaces Relative to vacant receivership property

MA S1071

Replaces To enhance courthouse security

MA S976

Replaces Relative to child custody orders

MA S1001

Replaces To improve after hours bail procedures

MA S1100

Replaces Establishing a domestic violence and sexual assault probation unit

MA S1141

Replaces Relative to the length of wiretap warrants

MA S960

Replaces Relative to illegal drug and firearm trafficking

MA S1143

Replaces Relative to recreational games at senior centers

MA S1056

Replaces Relative to improving enforcement for tethering violations

MA S1064

Replaces Removing the charitable immunity cap

MA S907

Replaces Relative to benefits for court officers

MA S925

Replaces To stop mass shootings

MA S949

Replaces Addressing discriminatory police reporting

MA S997

Replaces Relative to Massachusetts state sovereignty

MA S944

Replaces To enhance the rights of crime victims in the Commonwealth

MA S996

Replaces To reform the hate crime statutes

MA S1090

Replaces Relative to level-three sex offender residency restrictions

MA S1126

Replaces Promoting pet safety aka Crawford's Law

MA S1123

Replaces Relative to the tracking of medical malpractice cases

MA S1025

Replaces Relative to visitation and family court matters in domestic violence cases

MA S1136

Replaces Relative to domestic violence reports and confidentiality

MA S1089

Replaces Relative to health care proxies

MA S930

Replaces Relative to access to a decedent's electronic mail accounts

MA S929

Replaces To eliminate mandatory minimum sentences related to drug offenses

MA S1066

Replaces To address leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death aka Katie Brienzo's Law

MA S1103

Replaces Relative to due process

MA S990

Replaces To update proof of age documentation

MA S1125

Replaces Relative to treble damages

MA S1093

Replaces Providing a defense to prosecution for violations of the wiretap law for interceptions made to make a record of threats, harassment or other crimes

MA S998

Replaces To remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence

MA S1051

Replaces Restoring judicial discretion in controlled substance cases

MA S1058

Replaces Protecting victims of rape and their children

MA S1063

Replaces To prevent human trafficking through increased public awareness

MA S1134

Replaces Clarifying insurance liability for foster care providers

MA S932

Replaces Relative to the preservation of certain appellate rights

MA S981

Replaces Relative to guilty but with a mental illness

MA S1115

Replaces To protect the free flow of information in Massachusetts

MA S1033

Replaces Providing for the development of a graduate judicial training school

MA S919

Replaces Relative to the statute of limitations in rape, assault and human trafficking crimes

MA S1092

Replaces Relative to protecting innocent sellers

MA S961

Replaces Strengthening identity theft laws

MA S1055

Replaces Protecting survivors of domestic abuse

MA S969

Replaces Relative to the collateral consequences of alimony

MA S1013

Replaces To protect election workers

MA S1018

Replaces Incentivizing the use of public transportation by jurors

MA S1029

Replaces Relative to prejudgment interest rates

MA S1068

Replaces To add law enforcement councils to the Massachusetts TORT Claims Act

MA S1048

Replaces Relative to summary process and rental assistance

MA S934

Replaces Relative to the elective share of surviving spouses

MA S1017

Replaces Establishing a foreclosure review division

MA S1044

Replaces Prohibiting injurious operations or offering services or products that discriminate against or injure protected classes

MA S971

Replaces Relative to the malicious doxing of personal information

MA S1113

Replaces Strengthening the commonwealth's Anti-SLAPP law

MA S1138

Replaces To improve the administration of justice in probate and family court

MA S1031

Replaces Resolve for a commission to review, replace, and eliminate the Grand Jury System

MA S917

Replaces Relative to advertising for justices of the peace

MA S2398

Replaces Relative to the well-being of new mothers and infants

MA S2521

Replaces Establishing the Environmental Justice Trust Fund

MA S2538

Replaces Relative to the designation of Jury Clerk in the Haverhill District Court

MA S2560

Replaces Relative to uniform partition of heirs property

Similar Bills

MA S2648

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Public Health to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to public health matters.

MA S2630

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to consumer protection and professional licensure matters

MA S2624

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Elder Affairs to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to elder care matters.

MA H4736

Commuter transit benefits, child tax credit, and other related matters

MA S2636

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Financial Services to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to financial services matters.

MA S2753

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on the Judiciary to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to judicial matters.

MA S2650

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Environment and Natural Resources to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to environment and natural resources matters.

MA S2646

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Higher Education to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to higher education matters.