H 4638
An Act relative to the free flow of information
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, An Act relative to the free flow of information, aims to strengthen the protections afforded to journalists when it comes to revealing their sources in legal proceedings. It establishes a privilege for journalists to refuse to disclose sources, with limited exceptions, and creates a process for challenging that privilege in court. The bill clarifies definitions related to journalism and unpublished information, and outlines a judicial review process for disputes over source protection.
Key provisions
- Defines key terms: ‘journalist,’ ‘investigative body,’ ‘journalism,’ and ‘unpublished information.’
- Grants journalists a privilege to refuse to disclose sources in legal proceedings.
- Sets specific conditions under which disclosure of a source is permitted (national security, fair trial, imminent violence).
- Requires a court order to compel source disclosure, balancing public interest in evidence versus free flow of information.
- Establishes a process for challenging the privilege through a petition to the superior court.
- Provides for judicial review of superior court orders by the supreme judicial court.
- Specifies circumstances where the privilege does not apply (directed criminal activity, already public information).
Who is affected
- Journalists
- Investigative bodies (courts, grand juries, etc.)
- Legal professionals
- The public
- Government entities
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Cosponsors
Adrianne Pusateri Ramos
III John Barrett
James B. Eldridge
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Bill H.4638 194th (Current)
An Act relative to the free flow of information
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on the Judiciary Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Tabs
Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4638
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 10/23/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on The Judiciary |
| 10/23/2025 | House | New draft of H1738 |
| 10/23/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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