H 1857 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act establishing the Massachusetts Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act

This bill creates a standardized process for Massachusetts courts to handle legal discovery requests from other states. It requires parties seeking testimony or documents in Massachusetts for out-of-state civil cases to submit foreign subpoenas to a Massachusetts clerk, along with specific details like counsel contact information, after which the clerk issues a local subpoena. The law applies to civil cases filed in other states that need to conduct depositions or gather evidence within Massachusetts, taking effect January 1, 2026. It ensures consistency with Massachusetts procedural rules while requiring reciprocity with states having similar laws.
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 Feb 9, 2026
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
6
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