Technology (Data Privacy)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1076: An Act protecting consumers' privacy in mortgage applications

This bill prohibits certain deceptive practices by mortgage solicitors who use "mortgage trigger leads" (consumer reports obtained when applying for a mortgage, excluding existing loans). It makes it illegal to fail to clearly disclose: (1) that the solicitor isn't affiliated with the original lender, (2) that personal information was purchased without the lender's permission, (3) non-compliance with federal prescreening rules, or (4) contacting consumers who opted out of prescreened offers or are on Do Not Call lists. The law directly affects consumers applying for mortgage loans and the lenders/brokers soliciting them. Violations would be deemed unfair or deceptive under Chapter 93A, with the Attorney General creating implementing regulations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects consumer data privacy in mortgage applications by requiring disclosures about personal information use and deceptive practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 958: An Act relative to the preparation of street lists by registrars

This bill amends Massachusetts laws governing street lists prepared by registrars. It removes the requirement to include dates of birth and occupations in these lists, while keeping name, residence addresses (for two specific dates), and non-citizen nationality. The changes directly affect residents whose personal information appears in these official voter lists and the registrars who compile them. The key mechanism is a specific deletion of outdated or unnecessary personal data fields from the mandated list content.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves unnecessary personal data (DOB, occupation) from voter lists, reducing data collection and enhancing privacy protections per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1050: An Act relative to judicial security

This bill, the Massachusetts Judicial Security Act (HD 1050), protects judges and their immediate family members (spouses, children, or parents living with them) by restricting the public sharing of their personal information, such as home addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers. It requires state, county, and municipal agencies to remove such information from public internet posts within 72 hours of a written request from a judge or family member. The bill also prohibits data brokers and other entities from selling, sharing, or displaying this information online without explicit permission, mandating removal within 72 hours of a request and banning transfers to third parties. Violators face lawsuits seeking court orders to stop the disclosure and must cover the affected person’s legal costs and attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects judges and families from privacy breaches, ensuring court security and operational integrity within the criminal justice system's judicial branch.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts public sharing of personal data (addresses, SSNs) online, directly advancing data privacy protections for judicial personnel.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Data Privacy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3826: An Act establishing a commission regarding the privacy of sensitive information in legal documents

HD 3826 creates a commission to study how sensitive personal information (like addresses, Social Security numbers, medical details, and child custody terms) is handled in Massachusetts court documents. The commission, composed of judges, court officials, domestic violence experts, public records specialists, and advocacy representatives, will recommend whether such data should be publicly accessible online, available only through in-person requests at courthouses, or kept private. It must submit its findings and recommendations to courts and lawmakers by January 1, 2026. This bill itself does not change current access rules but sets up a process to review and potentially reform court document privacy practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates commission to study privacy of sensitive data in court documents, aiming to restrict public online access and protect personal information per its privacy-focused mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1110: An Act to establish the Massachusetts judicial security act

SD 1110, the Massachusetts Judicial Security Act, protects judges and their immediate family members by restricting the public sharing of their personal information. It prohibits state agencies, municipalities, and data brokers from publishing or selling judges' home addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses without written permission. The law requires any entity holding such information to remove it from public view within 72 hours of a written request from a protected individual (defined as current or retired judges at state or federal levels). Violations can result in lawsuits seeking removal of the information and payment of legal fees. This directly affects judicial personnel and their families by giving them control over their personal data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts data brokers from publishing judges' personal data, enhancing data privacy protections per topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 545: An Act protecting public higher education student information

SD 545, titled "An Act protecting public higher education student information," prevents public and municipally owned colleges and universities from being required to share student education records - including directory information as defined by federal privacy law - with non-governmental entities. The bill amends state law to clarify that institutions are not obligated to produce such records for non-governmental requests, while still allowing disclosure to federal, state, or local government agencies. This directly affects how public higher education institutions handle student data requests from outside organizations. The law does not alter federal privacy requirements but adds a state-level restriction on sharing with non-governmental parties.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents non-governmental entities from accessing student records, strengthening privacy protections in higher education as part of educational access policies.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts sharing of student data with non-government entities, strengthening data privacy protections under technology policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3351: An Act relative to the security of personal financial information

HD 3351 requires businesses and government agencies handling Massachusetts residents' personal financial information to implement comprehensive security programs. It defines "personal information" to include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license details, and mandates safeguards to prevent unauthorized access or breaches. Covered entities must conduct risk assessments, design security measures, and oversee third-party service providers. The bill also specifies requirements for notifying residents after a breach, including options for electronic or substituted notice when costs or scale make traditional notification impractical. This applies directly to financial institutions, state agencies, and any organization processing sensitive data of Massachusetts residents.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates security programs for personal financial data, requiring risk assessments and safeguards to prevent breaches, directly enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3614: An Act protecting public higher education student information

This bill (HD 3614) prevents Massachusetts public colleges and universities from being forced to disclose certain student records. It specifically protects records classified as "education records" under federal privacy law (FERPA), including information schools designate as "directory information" (like names, addresses, or academic details). The law ensures these institutions cannot be compelled to share such student data, aligning with existing federal privacy standards. It directly affects public higher education institutions in Massachusetts and the privacy of their students' personal information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student privacy in higher education by preventing forced disclosure of FERPA-covered records, aligning with federal standards and directly safeguarding educational data.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects student data privacy by preventing disclosure of FERPA-covered records, aligning with federal privacy standards under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Data Privacy

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 25, 2025

S 2608: An Act establishing the Massachusetts data privacy act

Senate, September 18, 2025 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill establishing the Massachusetts data privacy act (Senate, No. 2516),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2608).

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes Massachusetts data privacy act, directly protecting consumer data privacy per topic description indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1108: An Act prohibiting the malicious doxing of personal information

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1108) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation relative to the malicious doxing of personal information. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits malicious doxing of personal information, directly protecting data privacy by preventing unauthorized exposure of sensitive personal data online.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track