S 1034 Massachusetts Senate · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to archaic laws

This bill establishes a permanent Law Revision Commission to identify and recommend updates to Massachusetts' outdated legal language. The commission, composed of legal experts, judges, and public officials, will review statutes, common law, and judicial decisions to eliminate archaic terms (like "common night walker" and references to "sodomy") and modernize laws. It specifically amends multiple statutes across chapters 272 and 277 by removing obsolete references (e.g., repealing Section 34 of Chapter 272 and updating Section 35 to use plain language about public exposure). The changes directly affect Massachusetts' legal code, making it more accessible and relevant to current standards. The commission must submit annual reports with specific legislative proposals to the state legislature.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jul 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Oct 14, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
3
Jul 24, 2025
Introduced
Reprinted as amended, see S2564
upper
Jul 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amendment #2 (Lovely) adopted
upper
Jul 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amendment #1 (DiDomenico) adopted
upper
Jul 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for Thursday July 24, 2025
upper
Jun 18, 2025
Committee
Discharged to the committee on Senate Rules
upper
Jun 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors