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H 1785

An Act relative to CORI fees

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 3 co-sponsors

Massachusetts H 1785 modifies Criminal Offender Record Information fees to improve access to criminal records for individuals seeking employment and reintegration.

Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 1785

Legislative bill overview

H 1785 addresses fees associated with Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) in Massachusetts. The bill, sponsored by four representatives, has been referred to the Judiciary Committee and a public hearing is scheduled for September 9, 2025. The specific provisions regarding fee modifications or elimination are not detailed in the provided action items.

Why is this important

CORI fees directly affect individuals seeking to access or seal their criminal records, which impacts employment prospects, housing applications, and civic reintegration. Fee structures can create barriers for lower-income individuals attempting to clear their records or obtain documentation needed for employment. This legislation could influence accessibility to criminal justice record management across the Commonwealth.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to the state vs. access equity: Whether eliminating or reducing fees shifts costs to taxpayers or genuinely improves access for economically disadvantaged individuals
  • Administrative burden: Implementation costs and whether the state has sufficient resources to process CORI requests without fee revenue
  • Scope of affected records: Whether the bill applies to all CORI requests or specific categories, and whether distinctions between sealing, expungement, and access requests are appropriate

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

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