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

Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

11/4/2025

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/27/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available