1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4086 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2734
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Christopher J. Worrell
_________________
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 to repeal pay-to-stay fees.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Christopher J. Worrell5th Suffolk1/17/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4086 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2734
By Representative Worrell of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2734) of
Christopher J. Worrell relative to deductions for costs associated with the care and
accommodation of incarcerated individuals. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act to repeal pay-to-stay fees.
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 48A of chapter 127 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after “superintendent may so expend any part or
3all of such money” the following words:- “However, the superintendent may not deduct from
4money earned by any inmate for room, board, or any living-related expenses.”
5 Section 2. The Department of Correction shall promulgate regulations pursuant to this
6section no later than 30 days after the enactment of this act.
7 Section 3. The amendment of Section 48A shall apply retroactively to all such deductions
8made from inmate earnings for room, board, or living-related expenses after January 1, 2020.
9Any such deductions that occurred prior to the enactment of this bill shall be refunded to the
10affected individuals.
11 Section 4. Section 58 of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
12Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the paragraph that begins with “The court 2 of 2
13may make an order for payment…” in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:-
14“The court may not make an order for payment by the child's parents or guardian from the child's
15property, or by any other person responsible for the care and support of said child, to the
16institution, department, division, organization or person furnishing care and support for said
17child.”
18 Section 4. The Juvenile Court shall immediately cease the issuance of payment orders for
19the care and support of delinquent youth upon the enactment of this act.
20 Section 5. The amendment of Section 58 shall apply retroactively to any youth for whom
21payment orders were issued after January 1, 2020. Any such payment orders shall be deemed
22void and any orders already fulfilled shall be refunded to the impacted youths or their families.
23 Section 6. The Commonwealth shall ensure that the costs associated with the care and
24accommodation of incarcerated individuals are not passed on to the individuals themselves or
25their families.