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April 17, 2026 Clouds | 61°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.1034 194th (Current)

An Act relative to archaic laws

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1034) of William N. Brownsberger and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish a commission to review and update archaic laws. The Judiciary.

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Bill Information

Presenter:
William N. Brownsberger

Archaic laws

S.1034 would remove archaic laws that intrude on an individual’s privacy regarding sexual activity. The bill would remove existing statutes that criminalize sodomy and so-called ‘unnatural’ acts between consenting adults and make Massachusetts laws more inclusive of individuals who are LGBTQIA+. Terms struck include terminology such as sodomy, “unnatural or lascivious” sex acts, and “common nightwalkers”. In some cases, the language that this bill would strike from the General Laws dates back into the 1800’s. Additionally, it would establish a permanent law revision commission to examine the common law, statutes and judicial decisions to identify defects and anachronisms in the law and recommend needed reforms; receive and consider proposed changes; recommend changes in the law to align with modern conditions; evaluate; and make recommendations to improve the openness and accessibility of state laws.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

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