An Act establishing a commission to study judicial accountability in the Commonwealth

HD 780 establishes a special commission to study how judges are nominated, selected, appointed, and overseen in Massachusetts, with the goal of improving judicial accountability. The commission, composed of 20 members including governor and legislative appointees plus representatives from 17 bar associations and legal organizations, will develop recommendations for better reappointment standards. It must hold public meetings, request information from state agencies, and submit its first report by December 1, 2021. The bill does not change current judicial procedures but creates a process to evaluate them. Members serve without additional pay beyond their existing roles.