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H1670 • 2025

An Act relative to the repeal or reform of certain unenforceable or unconstitutional archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality

An Act relative to the repeal or reform of certain unenforceable or unconstitutional archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality

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The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Kate Donaghue
Last action
2026-03-26
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act relative to the repeal or reform of certain unenforceable or unconstitutional archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality

An Act relative to the repeal or reform of certain unenforceable or unconstitutional archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality By Representative Donaghue of Westborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act relative to the repeal or reform of certain unenforceable or unconstitutional archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality By Representative Donaghue of Westborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
  • 1670) of Kate Donaghue relative to the repeal or reform of certain archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality.
  • The Judiciary.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-26 House

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

  2. 2025-10-20 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 05/06/2025 from 01:00 PM-04:00 PM in A-2

  3. 2025-04-29 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 05/06/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

  4. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

  5. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

  6. House

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

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to the repeal or reform of certain unenforceable or unconstitutional archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality
By Representative Donaghue of Westborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1670) of Kate Donaghue relative to the repeal or reform of certain archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality. The Judiciary.

Current Bill Text

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Bill H.1670

SECTION 1. Section 30 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 2. Section 31 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the first sentence.

SECTION 3. Section 15 of Chapter 233 is hereby amended by striking the wording in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:- In all cases in which an oath or affirmation of truthfulness is required by law, the oath or affirmation shall make no religious reference and the person administrating the oath or affirmation shall require only that the person taking the oath or affirmation hold up his or her hand and affirm that the testimony or declaration is truthful and, when appropriate, made under the penalties of perjury.

SECTION 4. Sections 16 through 19 of Chapter 233 of the General Laws are hereby repealed.

SECTION 5. Section 26 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 6. Section 29 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 7. Section 34 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 8. Section 35 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

SECTION 9. Section 36 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby repealed.

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