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H 1766

An Act relative to judicial security

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Hunt

The act restricts posting of judges’ and their families’ personal data online, requires removal within 72 hours on request, and bars data brokers from distributing it.

Hearing rescheduled to 11/04/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
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Bill Summary · H 1766

Summary of H.1766: An Act relative to judicial security (Chapter 221D)

Overview

H.1766 proposes the Massachusetts Judicial Security Act to protect the personal information of protected judicial officials and their immediate families. The bill creates new rules governing the posting of personal data by state, county, and municipal agencies, as well as by data brokers, and provides civil remedies for violations. It defines protected individuals to include state and federal judges and justices, past and present, and extends protections to their immediate family members living in the same residence.

Key Provisions

  • New Chapter Created: The General Laws would add Chapter 221D, “Massachusetts Judicial Security Act,” inserted after Chapter 156.

  • Definitions (Section 1):

    • Data broker: a commercial entity that collects or maintains personal information to sell or provide access to others.
    • Immediate family: spouse, child, parent, or other blood relative living in the same residence as a protected individual.
    • Personal information: includes Social Security number, home address, home phone, mobile phone, or personal email that is identifiable to the individual.
    • Protected Individual: includes justices or retired justices of the state Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, or Trial Court, and any active/retired federal judges (including U.S. Supreme Court justices, U.S. Courts of Appeals and District Courts).

  • Posting Restrictions by Agencies (Section 2):

    • No state, county, or municipal agency may publicly post or display a protected individual’s personal information on the internet without written permission.
    • Protected individuals may file a written notice with agencies to mark information confidential for themselves and immediate family.
    • Agencies must remove the protected individual’s information from publicly available content within 72 hours of receipt of a written request.

  • Data Broker Provisions (Section 3):

    • Prohibits data brokers from selling or providing a protected individual’s personal information.
    • If a protected individual (or their representative) requests non-disclosure, data brokers must remove the information from the internet within 72 hours.
    • Data brokers must ensure the information is not available on any website or subsidiary site after a written request.
    • Prohibits transfer of the protected individual’s PII to others after a written request.
    • Violations may lead to civil action for injunctive or declaratory relief; prevailing parties may recover costs and attorney’s fees.

  • Enforcement and Remedies (Section 3):

    • At-risk individuals may sue in a court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive or declaratory relief.
    • Courts can award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to the prevailing party.

  • Effective Date (Section 4):

    • The Act would take effect 120 days after enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • Protected individuals: current and former/state and federal judges and justices (and their immediate family).
  • State, county, and municipal agencies: subject to posting restrictions and removal duties.
  • Data brokers and other entities that collect, maintain, or publish personal information.
  • The public: indirectly affected through reduced access to judges’ personal data online.

Legislative Status and Timeline

  • Introduced/Filed: February 27, 2025 (House Docket No. 1050; House No. 1766).
  • Referral: Referred to the Judiciary Committee (2025-02-27).
  • Related actions: Senate concurrence noted; related House bill HD 1050 (replaces).
  • Hearing: Rescheduled to November 4, 2025 (with updated end times for the hearing; originally set for 11:00 AM – 02:30 PM / 05:00 PM in different entries).

Potential Impact

  • Improves safety and security for judges and their families by restricting public exposure of personal data.
  • Imposes new compliance duties on government agencies and data brokers, including timely removal of data (72-hour window) and prohibition on dissemination after a written request.
  • Provides a clear legal remedy framework for violations, including injunctive relief and allocation of litigation costs.
  • May impose compliance costs on agencies and data brokers and encourage broader data-minimization practices.

Related bill: HD 1050 (replaces).

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

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