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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts Senate bill removes Social Security numbers from death certificates
Last action · January 29, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and MeansSponsor: Will Brownsberger
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What This Bill Would Do
Massachusetts removes the requirement to list a deceased person's Social Security number on state death certificates. The measure amends Section 1 of Chapter 46 of the to exclude the number from all death records.
The change alters what personal identification data appears on vital statistics records managed by the state, affecting how family members and agencies access and handle death documentation.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Surviving family members
State vital records agencies
Agencies must update their record-keeping practices and forms to omit Social Security numbers from death certificates.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Social Security numbers still appear on death certificates?
Which state law is being amended by this bill?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- Jan 29, 2026SenateCommitteeBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- Dec 24, 2025SenateReporting date extended to Saturday January 31, 2026
- Jun 18, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 06/24/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-1
- Feb 27, 2025HouseHouse concurred
- Feb 27, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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