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H 1973

An Act protecting personal security

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Christine Barber and 14 co-sponsors

The bill tightens name-change procedures and allows sealing or segregating records to protect petitioners’ safety and privacy, including survivors and gender-nonconforming individu

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1973

Summary: H 1973 – An Act Protecting Personal Security

Overview

H 1973, introduced February 27, 2025, is a Massachusetts bill designed to enhance personal security for individuals seeking a legal name change by tightening procedural requirements and expanding privacy protections for name-change records. The bill amends Chapter 210, Section 13 of the General Laws to govern the process and confidentiality of name-change petitions.

Purpose and Intent

  • To safeguard the personal safety and privacy of individuals filing for name changes.
  • To require verification procedures that accompany a name-change decree.
  • To provide mechanisms for sealing or segregating records when public disclosure could jeopardize a petitioner’s safety.

Key Provisions

Section 13(a) — Procedures and Verification

  • Before a court decrees a name change, the court must request a report from the commissioner of probation regarding the petitioner.
  • After entry of a decree, the established legal name is the petitioner’s new name, and the court clerk may issue a certificate under seal.
  • A decree cannot be entered until the court has filed a copy of the petitioner’s birth record. If the petitioner’s name has previously been changed by decree or by marriage, the court must have a copy of the birth record amended to conform to prior changes, or a copy of the relevant decree or marriage record.
  • If obtaining the required records is not possible, the judge may dispense with producing the copy.

Section 13(b) — Privacy and Record Segregation

  • On request, the court may seal the petition for name change and all related pleadings, papers, and docket entries if opening the record would jeopardize the petitioner’s safety based on the totality of the circumstances.
  • If sealed, all such documents and permanent docket/records must be segregated, with a separate permanent docket book and a separate index for the segregated entries.
  • “Totality of the circumstances” includes risk of violence or discrimination, including discrimination related to gender non-conformity or transgender status, or if the petitioner is a survivor of domestic violence.
  • The court cannot deny the segregation request solely because the petitioner lacks specific threats or documented history of threats.

Affected Parties

  • Petitioners seeking name changes, particularly those with safety concerns (e.g., survivors of domestic violence, gender non-conforming or transgender individuals).
  • Courts and clerks handling name-change petitions and records.
  • The probation department (commissioner of probation) providing background information about petitioners.

Legislative History and Timeline

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to: The Judiciary (House and Senate references noted).
  • Sponsors: A broad group of Representatives including Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Jack Patrick Lewis, with numerous cosponsors.
  • Related actions: Senate concurred on February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing status: Hearing rescheduled to November 25, 2025 (10:00 AM–04:00 PM) in A-2 with a virtual option; updated to reflect an end time change to New End Time (session details show 10:00 AM–05:00 PM in other notices).

Potential Impact

  • Enhanced safety: Petitioners at risk of violence or discrimination may keep name-change records private or sealed.
  • Privacy balance: The bill sets a framework to protect sensitive information while maintaining verifiable identity changes through birth records and prior-change documentation.
  • Administrative requirements: Courts must obtain probation reports and manage segregated records, potentially increasing clerical processes and records management standards.
  • Scope of protection: Applies to various vulnerable groups, including individuals with gender non-conforming or transgender status and domestic violence survivors.

Related Information

  • Related Bill: HD 1541 (replaces)
  • Official docket: House Docket No. 1541, House No. 1973
  • Status: Petition introduced; hearings scheduled with updates as noted above.

This summary focuses on the substantive changes the bill would implement, its intended protective effects, and the procedural steps involved.

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

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