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H 3722

An Act relative to simplifying processes at the Registry of Motor Vehicles for surviving spouses and next of kin

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Vanna Howard and 3 co-sponsors

The bill lets surviving spouses automatically transfer a lease-held vehicle’s title from a deceased spouse to themselves after death, via a simple written application and death cer

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 3722

Summary of H 3722: An Act relative to simplifying processes at the Registry of Motor Vehicles for surviving spouses and next of kin

Purpose and intent

This bill aims to streamline the process by which surviving spouses and next of kin obtain and register titles for motor vehicles, particularly in cases where the vehicle is subject to a lease and the title is held by a lienholder. The goal is to reduce administrative friction after a death and enable faster transfer of vehicle ownership to rightful survivors.

Key provisions and changes

  • The bill amends Section 15A of chapter 90D of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition) by replacing the existing language for certain post-death title transfers with two new paragraphs:
    • (3) If a certificate of title for a vehicle has been issued to a lienholder under a lease, the decedent spouse’s interest, rights, and obligations under the lease pass to the surviving spouse. Upon written application to the RMV registrar, accompanied by a death certificate copy, the registrar shall issue a new certificate of title that removes the decedent spouse’s name, allowing the surviving spouse to register the vehicle solely in the surviving spouse’s name.
    • (4) The application for issuance of a certificate of title must be accompanied by a sworn affidavit stating that the vehicle has not been disposed of otherwise by will. The affidavit must be in a form prepared by the registrar.

Affected parties and impact

  • Primary beneficiaries: Surviving spouses and next of kin who are the legal beneficiaries of a decedent’s lease-held vehicle.
  • Effects:
    • Simplifies title transfer after death when the vehicle is leased and title is held by a lienholder.
    • Facilitates registering the vehicle solely in the surviving spouse’s name.
    • Adds a standardized affidavit requirement to confirm the vehicle has not been disposed of by will, reducing potential conflicts or misstatements.
  • Administrative impact: Shifts certain post-death title transfer steps to a streamlined process via a written application and death certificate, with registrar-prepared forms for the affidavit.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Status: Read second and ordered to a third reading.
  • Filing and introduction:
    • Filed January 14, 2025; introduced February 27, 2025 (House Docket No. 3722), sponsored by Rep. David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf.
  • Legislative actions to date:
    • February 27, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Transportation; Senate concurrence noted.
    • May 7, 2025: Public hearing scheduled for May 13, 2025 (B-2).
    • July 28, 2025: Committee reported favorably and referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
    • August 25, 2025: Committee reports matter ready for Orders of the Day; Rules suspended; bill advanced to third reading.

Relationship to prior work

  • The bill is identified as similar to a prior session measure (HD 3707 of 2023-2024) and is categorized as a transportation-related reform.

Related bill

  • HD 910 is the House docket number for this bill (replacing previous related measures).

Overall, H 3722 proposes a targeted, process-oriented improvement at the RMV to aid surviving spouses and next of kin in obtaining clear, sole ownership of a vehicle after death, particularly in leased-vehicle scenarios.

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

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