H 1856 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Decanting Act

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Decanting Act, creating a legal framework for trustees to modify existing trusts. It defines key terms like "decanting power" (the ability to transfer assets to a new trust with updated terms) and "authorized fiduciary" (trustees or others with authority to make these changes). The act directly affects trustees managing trusts, beneficiaries (including charitable organizations named in trusts), and individuals with powers of appointment. Its key mechanism allows trustees to adjust trust terms - such as extending duration or changing distribution rules - without court approval, provided they follow the defined process. This streamlines trust management while maintaining legal safeguards for beneficiaries.
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 Oct 14, 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 Jay Livingstone
Jay Livingstone
DDemocratic
MA
8th Suffolk