Bill
S 1151
Creates a Special Commission to review Massachusetts Grand Jury system, hold public hearings, and recommend reforms or replacement, with a final report in 24 months.
Status snapshot
- Senate Docket No.: 900 / S.1151 (filed 01/15/2025)
- Presented by: Senator Jason M. Lewis (by request); petitioner: Vincent Dixon
- Referred to: Judiciary Committee
- Hearing(s): scheduled and rescheduled; most recently set for 11/04/2025 (multiple time updates recorded)
- Related: Similar matter filed in prior session (Senate No. 1031, 2023–2024)
Purpose and intent
S.1151 is a legislative Resolve to create a Special Commission charged with reviewing the Grand Jury system as used in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, evaluating whether it should be retained, modified, replaced, or eliminated, and recommending reforms or alternative charging and adjudicatory mechanisms.
Key provisions
- Creation of a Special Commission: establishes a study body to investigate the Grand Jury process, its utility, fairness, history, and contemporary alternatives.
- Membership (as proposed): includes the Dean (or designee) of each Massachusetts law school; constitutional officers (or designees); representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement (including district attorneys and sheriffs), practicing attorneys, public defenders, legal reform advocates, and other relevant stakeholders. The Governor and the Attorney General serve as co-appointing authorities.
- Leadership and operations: the Commission selects a Chair and Vice Chair from its membership and is authorized to incur “reasonable expenses” necessary to perform its work.
- Public engagement and fact‑finding: required to hold at least five public hearings in different locations (including Boston) to gather testimony, historical context, data, and input on alternatives and streamlined charging processes.
- Deliverable and timeline: the Commission must issue a report containing findings and specific recommendations within 24 months after appointments are completed.
Who would be affected
- Criminal justice stakeholders: prosecutors, defense counsel, judges, law enforcement agencies, and accused persons potentially affected by grand jury proceedings.
- Policy makers and the public: recommendations could lead to legislative or procedural changes impacting how felony charges are initiated and reviewed in Massachusetts.
Procedural/next steps
- The Resolve is a fact‑finding and advisory instrument; any substantive changes (e.g., statutory abolition or replacement of grand juries) would require follow‑up legislation based on the Commission’s report.
- As of the most recent entries, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee and scheduled for a public hearing (11/04/2025). Adoption of the Resolve would trigger member appointments and commencement of the 24‑month study period.
Notes on source material
The materials provided to the analyst included unrelated or conflicting documents (an Idaho insurance statute text and other legislative items). This summary is limited to the Massachusetts Resolve titled “Resolve for a commission to review, replace, and eliminate the Grand Jury System” (S.1151 / Senate Docket No. 900).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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