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56 articles
Massachusetts autopsy reports are not public records. Learn who can request one from the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the fee, processing time, and how it differs from a death certificate.
Massachusetts abolished common law marriage in 1977. No new CLM can be formed in-state; pre-July 12, 1977 unions remain valid. Massachusetts recognizes valid out-of-state CLMs.
Complete guide to life sentences in Massachusetts: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
How to find someone's cause of death in Massachusetts: it is on the public death certificate from RVRS or the town clerk. Autopsy reports go to next of kin.
Order a Massachusetts death certificate from the city or town clerk or the state Registry. Fees start at $54, and death records are public, so anyone may request a certified copy.
Guide to Massachusetts AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.
Massachusetts AI meeting recording laws under Section 99: all-party consent, felony penalties up to 5 years/$10,000, AG AI advisory, and compliance for AI tools.
Massachusetts Alimony Reform Act (2011) set four types of alimony under M.G.L. c. 208 ss. 48-55: general term, rehabilitative, reimbursement, and transitional. Durational caps, amount limits, and termination rules explained.
Is Massachusetts an at-will state? Yes. Learn the three exceptions, the narrow good-faith covenant (Fortune/Gram), RTW status, and your rights if fired.
Massachusetts audio recording laws explained. Secret recording of any conversation is a felony under MGL ch. 272 s.99 with up to 5 years prison, $10,000 fine.
Massachusetts background check laws: Ban the Box, lookback periods, Clean Slate, employer and housing checks.
Massachusetts has no standalone biometric privacy law, but 201 CMR 17.00, Chapter 93A treble damages, and the pending Data Privacy Act (S.2608) protect biometric data.
Massachusetts is a no-fault state with a $2,000 PIP threshold. Learn about the 3-year SOL, 25/50/30 minimums, mandatory UM coverage, and modified comparative negligence.
Massachusetts car seat laws require child restraints until age 8 or 57 inches tall. Learn about rear-facing, booster seat rules, fines, and exemptions.
Massachusetts child custody law uses the best-interests standard under G.L. c. 208, §31. Learn types of custody, the MCCJA (not UCCJEA), relocation rules, and how to modify a custody order.
Massachusetts uses the Income Shares Model. The 2025 guidelines (effective Dec 1, 2025) cap combined income at $450,000/yr, set a $15/wk minimum, and raise the childcare benchmark to $430/wk.
Massachusetts dashcam laws. Dashcams are legal but audio recording passengers without disclosure is a felony. Placement rules and evidence use explained.
Learn Massachusetts data breach notification rules under Chapter 93H and 201 CMR 17.00, including WISP requirements, penalties, and credit monitoring obligations.
Massachusetts data privacy laws include 201 CMR 17.00 security regulations, Chapter 93H breach notification rules, and pending comprehensive privacy legislation.
Massachusetts death records are public. Anyone can order a certified death certificate from the city or town clerk or the state Registry of Vital Records, with no waiting period.
Massachusetts outlaws sexual deepfakes under M.G.L. ch. 265, § 43A (eff. Sept. 2024), with penalties up to 2.5 years prison. Election deepfake bills passed the House in 2026 but are not yet law.
Massachusetts defamation laws explained: a three-year statute of limitations (c. 260, 4), no punitive damages, the anti-SLAPP statute, and how to sue.
Massachusetts divorce: no-fault 1A joint or 1B contested petition, 1-year residency, 90/120-day nisi period, equitable distribution, Probate and Family Court.
Learn Massachusetts dog bite laws under M.G.L. c. 140, § 155. Strict liability rules, defenses, dangerous dog process, and filing deadlines explained.
Massachusetts has no emancipation statute. Learn how minors become emancipated by military service or common law, what rights apply under G.L. c. 112 s. 12F, and how child support rules work in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts law offers two paths to a clean slate: record sealing under M.G.L. c. 276, §§ 100A–100C and expungement under §§ 100E–100U. Learn waiting periods, eligibility, and how to file.
Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on a car in Massachusetts? There is no device-specific crime, but harassment charges and the 2024 coercive control law apply.
Learn about Massachusetts hit and run laws, including penalties for leaving the scene of an accident, reporting requirements, and your legal obligations.
Massachusetts security deposit cap is 1 month's rent, must be returned in 30 days with interest. No late fee until 30 days overdue. Rent control banned statewide.
Massachusetts landlord-tenant recording laws. Secret recording between landlords and tenants is a felony. Security camera rules for rental properties explained.
Massachusetts public recording laws. Being in public does NOT allow secret audio recording. Silent video is legal but secret audio is a felony. Learn the rules.
Massachusetts laws on recording police. Your First Amendment right to record officers in public is protected. Body camera rules, wiretap warrants explained.
Massachusetts lemon law covers new vehicles within 1 year or 15,000 miles. Learn the 3-repair-attempt threshold, usage deduction formula, OCABR arbitration, and used-car warranty rules.
Massachusetts medical recording laws. Patients can record doctors with disclosure. Secret recording is a felony. HIPAA, telehealth, and provider rules explained.
Massachusetts medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.
Learn Massachusetts phone call recording laws under MGL ch. 272 s.99. All parties must know about recording. Secret recording is a felony with up to 5 years.
Massachusetts Power of Attorney Law (G.L. ch. 190B, ss. 5-501 to 5-507): durable POA execution, agent authority, and the separate Health Care Proxy (ch. 201D).
Massachusetts bans secret recording under ch. 272 Section 99. All parties must know recording is happening. Felony up to 5 years. Civil damages from $100/day.
Learn how to get a 209A Abuse Prevention Order or 258E Harassment Prevention Order in Massachusetts: who qualifies, how long orders last, and what violations cost.
Massachusetts has one of the strictest wiretapping laws in the US. Learn how Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 272, section 99 affects Ring doorbells, penalties, and tips.
Massachusetts school recording laws. Secret recording at school is a felony. Rules for parents, students, IEP meetings, and school security cameras explained.
Massachusetts security camera laws. Silent cameras are generally legal but audio recording is a felony. Rules for homes, businesses, and rental properties.
Massachusetts is a duty-to-retreat state. Outside the home you must retreat if safely possible before using deadly force. G.L. c. 278 s. 8A removes the duty to retreat inside your dwelling. No stand-your-ground law. No civil immunity statute.
Understand Massachusetts's sexting laws: criminal penalties for adults and minors, revenge porn laws, and defenses available under Massachusetts law.
Massachusetts slip and fall law: modified comparative fault (51% bar), open-and-obvious doctrine, no natural-accumulation rule for ice/snow, 3-year SOL, 2-year gov notice.
Massachusetts bans secret audio recording under ch. 272 § 99. Learn how the LED, Commonwealth v. Hyde, and the open-recording rule apply to smart glasses.
Massachusetts requires 20 years of adverse possession under ch. 260 § 21. Learn the elements, the registered-land exception, and how to remove a squatter via summary process.
Massachusetts statute of limitations for civil and criminal cases: filing deadlines for personal injury, contracts, medical malpractice, murder, and more.
Massachusetts surveillance camera laws require all-party consent for audio recording. Learn rules for home cameras, workplace surveillance, nanny cams, and penalties.
Massachusetts video recording laws explained. Silent video is generally legal, but video with secret audio is a felony. Voyeurism and revenge porn laws covered.
Massachusetts voyeurism and hidden camera laws. Upskirting, hidden cameras, and revenge porn penalties explained. Up to 5 years prison per offense.
Learn about Massachusetts's whistleblower protections: who qualifies, how to report violations, retaliation protections, and available remedies.
Massachusetts requires 35% VLT on all side and rear windows. Learn the legal limits, windshield strip rule, medical exemption process, and penalties under MGL ch. 90, s. 9D.
Massachusetts windshield mounting laws: restrictions, penalties, and exemptions. Complete guide.
Massachusetts requires workers' comp for all employers with 1+ employees. Benefits pay 60% of gross AWW. You have 4 years to file a claim. Learn your rights.
Massachusetts workplace recording laws. Secret recording at work is a felony under MGL ch. 272 s.99. Rules for employees, employers, and monitoring explained.