H 1803 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to exonerate all individuals accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials

This bill amends Massachusetts law to formally exonerate all individuals accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials, expanding a previous statute that had already cleared specific named victims. By adding the phrase "and other persons" to existing legal resolutions, the legislation ensures that anyone not previously listed by name is officially recognized as innocent. The measure directly affects the historical record and legal standing of the hundreds of people who were persecuted during the 1692 trials.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Jun 5, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Andy Vargas
Andy Vargas
DDemocratic
MA
3rd Essex