Skip to Content
July 21, 2026 Clouds | 73°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.1114 194th (Current)

An Act requiring clean slate automated record sealing

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1114) of Cindy F. Friedman, Adam Gomez, Joanne M. Comerford, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide easier and greater access to record sealing. The Judiciary.

View Text Print Preview Download PDF

Bill Information

Presenter:
Cindy F. Friedman
Status:
Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Special Attachments:
Committee - Senate member votes
This bill introduces a system for the automated and expedited sealing of criminal records in Massachusetts. It requires the commissioner of probation to maintain a database that includes the dates of individuals' release from incarceration, facilitating the sealing process. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services will also update its records to include these release dates. Monthly reports from correctional facilities to the commissioner of probation on newly released individuals are mandated to support this initiative. Under the bill, individuals no longer need to petition for the sealing of eligible criminal records after completing a designated waiting period. An automated mechanism will seal records within 30 days of eligibility, with waiting periods set at 3 years for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies, provided there are no new offenses. However, certain firearm and government-related offenses are excluded from sealing, with exceptions for resisting arrest and decriminalized marijuana possession, which can be sealed upon request. For juvenile records, the bill introduces an automatic sealing process occurring 3 years post-offense or adjudication, absent any new offenses. The legislation also requires the commissioner to inform individuals at conviction or adjudication about the possibility of future record sealing. The law will take effect 18 months after its enactment, with existing eligible records being sealed within 3 months of that date.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.