S 1074 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to further clear titles to real property affected by technical irregularities in recorded instruments

This bill amends Massachusetts law to automatically fix technical errors in recorded real estate documents, such as missing seals or incorrect signatures, provided no legal challenge is filed within ten years. It directly affects property owners, lenders, and title companies by ensuring that documents with minor clerical flaws are treated as valid without requiring costly re-recording or new paperwork. The key mechanism is a ten-year window during which interested parties must actively sue and file a notice to contest the document; if no action is taken, the document remains effective as if it had been perfectly executed from the start. This change aims to simplify property title transfers and reduce administrative burdens for individuals and entities dealing with historical recording irregularities.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Mar 4, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. 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
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mike Moore
Mike Moore
DDemocratic
MA
Second Worcester