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HD 2650

An Act ensuring transparency in property deed requests

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steven Howitt

Creates new Section 64A in Chapter 62C, requiring a centralized record of all property-deed access requests and notifying owners by mail within 10 business days.

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Bill Summary · HD 2650

Comprehensive Summary: HD 2650 — An Act Ensuring Transparency in Property Deed Requests

Overview

  • Bill number: HD 2650
  • Title: An Act ensuring transparency in property deed requests
  • Sponsor: Rep. Steven S. Howitt (4th Bristol)
  • Chamber/Session: Massachusetts House of Representatives, 2025-2026 session (as proposed in the filed bill)
  • Current status: Not specified in the provided excerpt. The bill text identifies a sponsor and docket reference but does not include a posted status update.

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to increase transparency around requests to access property deeds in Massachusetts. By creating a centralized requirement for recording deed access requests and notifying property owners, the measure aims to inform owners when someone is seeking to view or obtain information tied to their deed, thereby enhancing awareness and potential oversight of deed-record requests.

Key provisions

  • New provision added: Section 64A to Chapter 62C (as it appears in the 2022 Official Edition) would be created.
  • Record-keeping requirement: The secretary of the commonwealth or the register of deeds in each county must maintain a record of all requests to access a property deed.
  • Owner notification: The property owner must be notified when a record request is made for the owner’s deed.
  • Timing of notification: Notification must be sent by mail to the property owner no later than 10 business days after the deed has been requested.

Who is affected

  • Property owners: They would receive direct notification when a request to access their deed is made.
  • Secretary of the Commonwealth / County Registers of Deeds: They would be responsible for:
    • Maintaining a centralized record of all deed-access requests.
    • Providing timely mail notifications to property owners.
  • Potentially, deed requesters: The process creates an additional layer (notification to owners) that could influence how and when records are accessed, though the bill text does not specify any restrictions on requests.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Effective timeline: The bill text does not specify a future effective date; it outlines the requirement to maintain records and notify owners within 10 business days of a request. A separate act would be needed to implement funding, rules, or effective dates.
  • Administrative process: Implementing this change would require updates to how the secretary of state and county registries track requests and generate owner notifications, including mailings and record-keeping practices.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Transparency vs. privacy: The bill increases transparency of who is requesting deed information by creating a public-facing record and direct owner notification. It could raise questions about what information is disclosed to owners and what details are included in notifications.
  • Costs and logistics: There could be modest administrative costs (record-keeping systems, mailings) and potential workflow changes for registries of deeds.
  • Public access implications: By documenting requests, the bill may affect how accessible deed information remains to the public, potentially influencing future requests.

Relationship to existing law

  • The bill would amend Chapter 62C of the General Laws, adding a new Section 64A. It builds on existing procedures for accessing property deeds by adding mandatory notification and centralized record-keeping related to such requests.

Next steps for readers

  • If you are a property owner and want to understand how deed-access requests could affect you, monitor for updates from the secretary of the commonwealth or your county register of deeds about implementation details and notification methods.
  • For lawmakers and stakeholders, watch for status updates, fiscal analyses, and any amendments that define the scope of records maintained and the content of notifications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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