Bill > H1881

This bill amends Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 221 to grant recognized Indian tribes the ability to represent themselves in Massachusetts courts, with specific conditions. The legislation allows individuals serving on behalf of officially recognized tribes to represent their tribe in legal proceedings without being considered in violation of existing laws prohibiting unauthorized legal practice. To do so, these tribal representatives must submit an affidavit to the court affirming that they are not lawyers, have not passed the Massachusetts bar exam, and are not claiming to be licensed legal practitioners. Importantly, this right to self-representation is explicitly limited to tribal matters and does not extend to individual tribal members. The bill aims to provide tribal communities with a mechanism to access the Massachusetts legal system while maintaining transparency about the representatives' legal credentials. By creating this specific exemption, the bill recognizes the unique legal status and sovereignty of recognized Indian tribes while establishing clear parameters for their court representation.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1881