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HD 1675

An Act relative to archaic laws

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marjorie Decker and 3 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill to repeal outdated statutes no longer relevant to modern law and society, improving legal code clarity and removing enforcement ambiguities.

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Bill Summary · HD 1675

Legislative bill overview

HD 1675 proposes to repeal or modernize outdated laws in Massachusetts that are no longer enforced or relevant to contemporary society. The bill targets archaic statutes that remain on the books but conflict with current legal standards, public values, or practical governance. This is a housekeeping measure to remove legal dead weight and reduce confusion in the state's statutory code.

Why is this important

Archaic laws can create legal ambiguity, waste judicial resources on obsolete provisions, and occasionally pose embarrassment or enforcement risks if accidentally invoked. Cleaning up the statutory code improves legal clarity for citizens, lawyers, and courts. It also signals legislative commitment to modernizing state law to reflect current social norms and constitutional standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional disputes: Determining which laws are truly "archaic" versus those with symbolic or niche value may provoke disagreement between cultural conservatives and modernizers
  • Unintended consequences: Repealing laws without full vetting could inadvertently remove provisions relied upon by specific communities or create gaps in legal coverage
  • Selective enforcement concerns: Critics may argue the bill targets certain categories of laws (e.g., morality statutes) while leaving others untouched, reflecting political bias rather than neutral modernization

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

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