Legislative Hearings
Massachusetts Bar Association representatives testify at the
Statehouse on legislative topics of interest to the legal
profession. This page will be updated with relevant hearing dates
when they become available.
Below are some recent legislative hearings where the MBA has
testified:
May 18, 2011
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Statehouse, Boston
Senate Bill 665
Family Law Section Council Chair Marc E. Fitzgerald testified in
favor of alimony reform legislation.
May 3,
2011
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Statehouse, Boston
House Bill 3395
Massachusetts Bar Association President Denise Squillante and
Past President Leo V. Boyle urged the Legislature to swiftly pass
legislation to professionalize Trial Court management to better
align Massachusetts with other innovative and forward-thinking
court systems.
June 9,
2011
Joint Committee on
Labor & Workforce Development
Statehouse,
Boston
House Bill
1393
Massachusetts Bar
Association Vice President Douglas K. Sheff, chair of the MBA's
Workplace Safety Task Force, testified in favor of a "Right to
Know" bill, which would mandate that temporary workers receive
basic information about their employer and their legal rights.
March 30,
2011
Joint Commitee on
the Judiciary
Statehouse,
Boston
Massachusetts Bar
Association President Denise Squillante testified to have the
Probation Department remain in the judicial branch, and for the
Legislature to pass sweeping court reform. MBA Executive Management
Board member Lee J. Gartenberg spoke in favor of Senate Bill 708,
which gives judges additional options following revocation of
probation.
Jan. 28,
2010
Joint Committee on
the Judiciary
Statehouse,
Boston
House Bill
1332
Massachusetts Bar
Association Secretary Jeffrey N. Catalano explained the MBA's
position on An Act Improving Patients' Access to Timely
Compensation. The "apology bill," in part, would make any apology
or expression of sympathy or regret by a doctor or health care
worker to a patient or their family inadmissible at trial.
July 27,
2009
Joint Committee on
the Judiciary
Statehouse,
Boston
President Edward W.
McIntyre and former MBA Criminal Justice Section Chair Lee J.
Gartenberg testified in favor of eliminating mandatory minimum
sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, reforming CORI laws and
reducing the 1,000-foot school-zone buffer.
Feb. 6,
2008
Joint Committee on
the Judiciary
Statehouse,
Boston
Senate bills 868
and 999
Massachusetts Bar
Association General Counsel Martin W. Healy testified in support of
bills that would increase the hourly rate for private attorneys
representing poor clients.
Jan. 24,
2008
Joint Committee on
the Judiciary
Statehouse,
Boston
Senate Bill 843
and House Bill 1652
Massachusetts Bar
Association President David W. White Jr. testified in favor of
bills that would overhaul the commonwealth's archaic probate system
by passing the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code.
Nov. 13,
2007
Joint Committee on
the Judiciary
Statehouse,
Boston
Massachusetts Bar
Association President David W. White Jr. testified for the repeal
of mandatory minimums for non-violent drug crimes and an increase
in both parole opportunities and treatment programs.
Sept. 18,
2007
Joint Committee on
the Judiciary
Statehouse,
Boston
Massachusetts Bar
Association Criminal Justice Section Council Chair Lee Gartenberg
testified in favor of comprehensive reforms to Massachusetts CORI
laws, which he said are necessary to help those with criminal pasts
turn into productive citizens.