Loading chat...

MA H1881

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/27/2025

Primary Sponsor

Joseph McKenna

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

194th General Court

AI Summary

  • Allows individuals serving on behalf of Indian Tribes officially recognized by the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs to represent their tribe in Massachusetts courts without being licensed attorneys
  • Exempts tribal representatives from M.G.L. Chapter 221 sections 41 and 46A, which prohibit unauthorized practice of law and self-representation violations
  • Requires tribal representatives to submit an affidavit to the court confirming their non-lawyer status and that they are not holding themselves out as licensed attorneys
  • Failure to submit the required affidavit constitutes a violation of unauthorized practice of law statutes
  • Limits this representation privilege to tribal matters only; individual tribe members cannot use this provision for personal legal matters

Legislative Description

Granting Indian tribes access to the Massachusetts courts

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)

3/26/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/27/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available