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HD 135

An Act relative to expungement of certain past marijuana convictions

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bud Williams

Massachusetts bill permitting court-ordered expungement of past marijuana convictions to remove employment and housing barriers for individuals convicted before legalization.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 135

Legislative bill overview

HD 135 would allow individuals with past marijuana convictions to petition courts for expungement of those convictions from their records. The bill aims to address the consequences of prior marijuana offenses that occurred before legalization, recognizing that such convictions can create barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities. This aligns with Massachusetts' 2016 legalization of recreational marijuana.

Why is this important

Marijuana convictions—even for minor possession—can permanently damage employment prospects and create collateral consequences affecting creditworthiness, housing access, and professional licensing. An estimated thousands of Massachusetts residents carry such convictions. Expungement would allow these individuals to legally answer "no" to conviction questions on job applications and other contexts, potentially reducing recidivism by removing barriers to reintegration.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope definition: Unclear which convictions qualify (possession only vs. distribution; felonies vs. misdemeanors; what quantity thresholds)
  • Prosecutorial discretion: Whether prosecutors can object to expungement and what standards courts should use to grant/deny petitions
  • Victim concerns: How convictions involving violence or other crimes bundled with marijuana offenses are handled; whether law enforcement retains records for investigations
  • Fiscal impact: Court system costs for processing petitions and potential administrative burden on law enforcement records management

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

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