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
Jay Livingstone
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about H 1857
Scope: MA
Hi! I can help you understand H 1857. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline