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H 1582

An Act relative to service of civil process fees

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brian Ashe and 1 co-sponsor

H.1582 modifies civil process service fees in Massachusetts, potentially affecting litigation costs and access to the court system for parties initiating legal action.

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1582

Legislative bill overview

H.1582 addresses the fees charged for serving civil process documents in Massachusetts. The bill modifies how service of process fees are structured and potentially who bears those costs. The specific text details are limited in the provided information, but this legislation pertains to the procedural and financial aspects of the civil legal system.

Why is this important

Service of process fees directly impact access to the civil justice system, particularly for individuals and small businesses initiating lawsuits. Changes to these fees can affect court filing costs, legal accessibility, and the ability of people to defend their rights through litigation. Fee structures also influence the economics of process serving as a profession.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden allocation: Disagreement over whether fee increases or decreases are appropriate and who should bear the costs (plaintiffs, defendants, the court system, or process servers)
  • Access to justice concerns: Questions about whether modified fees create barriers for lower-income individuals or small businesses seeking legal remedies
  • Impact on process serving industry: Concerns from process servers about whether fee changes adequately compensate them for service delivery costs or affect service quality

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

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