Bill > H2044

This bill proposes to remove the specific legal language about petit treason from Chapter 265, Section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Petit treason was a historical legal concept referring to a special type of murder where a subordinate (like a servant) killed someone to whom they owed allegiance (like a master). By striking the existing language "Petit treason shall be prosecuted and punished as murder," the bill effectively eliminates the distinct legal category of petit treason from Massachusetts law. This change suggests that the legislature wants to treat such crimes simply as murder, without the historical distinction of petit treason, which reflects modern legal standards that no longer recognize this archaic legal classification.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2044