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Bill

HD 1813

An Act relative to petit treason

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tommy Vitolo

Eliminates the archaic crime of petit treason from Massachusetts law, removing a feudal-era offense incompatible with modern employment relationships and legal standards.

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Bill Summary · HD 1813

Legislative bill overview

HD 1813 seeks to modernize Massachusetts law by addressing the archaic crime of "petit treason," a historical concept that criminalized certain acts of betrayal by servants or subordinates against their masters. The bill would revise or eliminate provisions related to this offense, which has largely fallen out of use in contemporary legal practice. This reflects broader legal reform efforts to remove outdated statutes from state codes.

Why is this important

Petit treason is a feudal-era concept that carries significant historical baggage and is incompatible with modern employment relationships and egalitarian legal principles. Cleaning up the criminal code by removing obsolete offenses prevents confusion in legal interpretation, reduces potential for misuse, and signals the state's commitment to contemporary justice standards. The reform also eliminates potential constitutional vulnerabilities around vaguely-defined historical crimes.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of removal: Whether the bill eliminates petit treason entirely or merely clarifies its narrowed application—complete removal ensures no revival of charges, while limited revision might leave ambiguity
  • Symbolic significance: Some may argue retaining historical statutes preserves legal heritage, while reformers see outdated provisions as impediments to clear modern law
  • Unintended consequences: Stakeholders may dispute whether eliminating this offense creates any actual gaps in protecting legitimate employer or authority interests under modern law

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

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