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Lawmakers hear push to open state-institution records and name graves after 75 years
Summary
Representatives and advocates urged the Joint Committee to report House Bill 3335 favorably to make historical records from state institutions public after 75 years, and to direct the Secretary of State to help identify names for graves now marked only by codes.
Representative Gulak testified in support of House Bill 3335 on June 24, asking the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to report the bill favorably and send it to the governor. "It is critically important that the people of Massachusetts know the complete history of the individuals and the actions that took place in our state institutions," Gulak said during testimony.
What the bill would do: Witnesses and supporters described HB 3335 as a statutory change to allow public access to records held in the State Archives related to people who lived in state institutions; testimony explained the proposal would release specified records 75 years after creation. Advocates said the change follows a special commission recommendation and is intended to allow researchers, descendants and the public to learn who lived and died in these institutions. One witness said that between Waltham and Belchertown there are “thousands and thousands of graves” currently identified only by religion code and a number, not a name.
Scope and safeguards: Committee members discussed language changes that narrow the release to historical records specifically about state institutions under the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s control and noted protections for personal or sensitive materials. Witnesses and chairs emphasized balance: the bill, as discussed, would release records after a 75‑year period to strike a balance between privacy and historical access.
Context: The special commission on state institutions — referenced repeatedly in testimony — recommended passage of this legislation to support public reckoning and better historical understanding of institutional care in Massachusetts. Representative Gulak said Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin (described in testimony as custodian of the records) is strongly in favor of the legislation.
Committee action: Committee chairs acknowledged prior favorable reports on similar language in past sessions and said they will “entertain” revised language and look at time horizons and privacy protections as they consider moving the bill forward. No formal vote occurred at the June 24 hearing.
