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H 1976

An Act to track the implementation of the Brangan ruling

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Lindsay Sabadosa

Requires reporting bail amounts and charges to the Committee for Public Counsel Services to track and ensure proper Brangan ruling implementation.

Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 1976

Summary: Massachusetts House Bill H.1976 – An Act to track the implementation of the Brangan ruling

Overview

H.1976, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Lindsay N. Sabadosa, seeks to track and monitor the implementation of the Brangan ruling by requiring data reporting to the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS). The bill amends a provision in Chapter 276 to facilitate data collection on bail and charges to ensure proper implementation of the ruling.

Purpose and Key Provisions

  • Main purpose: To enable systematic tracking of how the Brangan ruling is implemented, through mandatory data reporting to CPCS.
  • Specific provision added: Section 57 of Chapter 276, as currently written, would be amended by inserting after the second sentence the following sentence:
    • "The bail amount as well as the charges must be reported to the Committee for Public Counsel Services so that the data may be tracked to ensure proper implementation of the above."
  • Effect of the provision: This creates a formal obligation for reporting both bail amounts and associated charges to CPCS, enabling centralized data collection and monitoring to oversee compliance with the Brangan ruling.

Affected Parties and Impact

  • Primary entity affected: Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), which would receive and manage the data.
  • Other potential beneficiaries or stakeholders: The judiciary, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and individuals subject to bail and charges, as data reporting could affect transparency and oversight of bail practices.
  • Administrative impact: Likely increases in data collection, reporting processes, and data management requirements for CPCS and possibly related court systems.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to: The Judiciary Committee (February 27, 2025).
  • Related actions: Senate concurred on the same date as the referral acknowledgment.
  • Related bill: HD 496 (the related House version that replaces the current measure).
  • Current status: Hearing scheduled for September 9, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room A-2.

Status and Next Steps

  • The bill is in the committee process, with a scheduled hearing to discuss its provisions and potential amendments.
  • If advanced, the bill could proceed to floor debate and potential passage, or be amended or laid aside.

Notes

  • The text provided focuses on a single substantive amendment: adding a reporting requirement to CPCS for bail amounts and charges to track Brangan ruling implementation.
  • No fiscal impact or detailed implementation timeline beyond the hearing is specified in the provided materials.

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

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