H 1601 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act regarding conditions of release in Superior Court

This bill amends Massachusetts' Superior Court release conditions to give judges clearer authority to impose specific restrictions on defendants. It removes a limitation ("and may") that previously restricted judges' ability to add conditions, and adds new language allowing judges to require defendants to avoid contact with alleged victims or witnesses as a condition of release. The key change directly affects defendants awaiting trial who are released before court proceedings. These provisions aim to strengthen protections for victims and witnesses during pretrial release.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Dec 31, 2025
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
5
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dan Cahill
Dan Cahill
DDemocratic
MA
10th Essex