Bill > H2721

This bill establishes privileged communication rights for incarcerated individuals when communicating with members of the Massachusetts General Court (the state legislature). Specifically, the bill amends an existing law to prevent the Department of Correction, sheriffs, prisons, correctional facilities, and communication service providers from monitoring or recording communications between inmates and state legislators. The bill creates a legal privilege that allows inmates to refuse to disclose and prevent others from disclosing confidential communications with legislators, whether those communications occur in-person, by voice, video, or electronic means. The confidentiality protection applies only to communications not intended to be shared with third parties and does not extend to communications related to planning a crime or fraud. This legislation aims to ensure that inmates can communicate freely with their elected representatives without fear of surveillance or potential repercussions, protecting their right to engage with government officials while maintaining appropriate legal boundaries.