Bill > H1727

This bill establishes a special 15-member legislative commission dedicated to studying and developing strategies for increasing racial diversity among judges in Massachusetts. The commission will include representatives from various legislative committees, caucuses, state agencies, and professional legal organizations, such as the Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston Bar Association, and ethnic lawyers' associations. The governor is specifically required to appoint members in proportions that reflect the commonwealth's population demographics, with a focus on including women and people of color. The commission's mandate is to comprehensively evaluate the current state of judicial racial diversity, examining potential legislative actions, developing recommendations to increase diversity, and proposing potential standards for judicial admission that consider factors like age, education, community background, and mental health. The commission is required to complete its work and submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to key state officials by December 31, 2026. This initiative aims to address historical disparities and create a more representative judicial system that better reflects the demographic composition of Massachusetts.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1727