Substantive Descriptions

United States Constitution

The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten Articles in addition to, and Amendment of, the Constitution. It defines citizens’ and states’ rights in relation to the Government.

Constitution of Massachusetts

The 1780 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the world's oldest functioning written constitution. It served as a model for the United States Constitution

Massachusetts General Laws

The statutes passed by the Massachusetts legislature, arranged topically. Citations appear as G.L. c. [Number] § [Number] G.L. c. 93A, § 1.

Code of Massachusetts Regulations

The regulations promulgated by state agencies to further explain or clarify areas of the law and administrative procedure. Citations appear as [Chapter number] CMR. [Section Number] 606 CMR 3.03

State Building Code 6th Edition

The building code in effect for the Commonwealth between February 28, 1997 and March 1, 2009

State Building Code 7th Edition

The building code in effect for the Commonwealth between September 1, 2008 and February 5, 2011 For the base volume, and November 13, 2008 and August 4, 2011 for Residential (Ch. 51-100).

State Building Code 8th Edition

The current building code in effect since August 6, 2010 for the base volume, and February 4, 2011 for Residential (Ch. 51-115). The Building Code is published in Ch. 780 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations.

PLEASE NOTE: Unlike the previous building codes, this database is NOT complete. For the 8th Edition of the building code, the Commonwealth incorporated the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) by reference. The text found in this database includes only the amendments and additions that Massachusetts has made to the 2009 IBC. To read the complete text of the Massachusetts Building Code, you can access to the 2009 IBC for free on the International Code Council’s website, and then look up the relevant section in this database to see if there are any changes to the base text.

State Building Code 9th Edition

This is the current edition of The State Building Code.

PLEASE NOTE:  Like the previous building code, this database is NOT complete.For the 9th Edition of the building code, the Commonwealth incorporated the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) by reference. The text found in this database includes only the amendments and additions that Massachusetts has made to the 2015 IBC. To read the complete text of the Massachusetts Building Code, you can access to the 2015 IBC for free on the International Code Council’s website, and then look up the relevant section in this database to see if there are any changes to the base text.

Massachusetts Rules of Court

The rules of court govern civil and criminal procedure in the Massachusetts trial and appellate courts. They specify how and when parties can contact one another, the types of pleadings and motions one can make, and set time limits for when actions or documents are due. Failure to comply with the rules can result in a case being dismissed.

Supreme Judicial Court/Massachusetts Appeals Court

The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the highest appellate court in the Commonwealth. The Appeals Court is the Commonwealth’s intermediary appellate court—most trial court cases are first appealed to the Appeals Court; losing parties may apply to the SJC for Further Appellate Review. Occasionally, a case will be heard by the SJC on Direct Appellate Review, bypassing the Appeals Court.

These Courts’ appellate cases— interpreting the Constitution, General Laws, and state and municipal administrative regulations—make up the common law of Massachusetts. This database contains only cases from 1900-present. Please note that older cases may still be relevant. The Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library system website explains where older cases may be found online for free.

Massachusetts Appeals Court 1:28 Decisions

Appeals Court Rule 1:28 Decisions are unpublished summary orders made by a panel of three Appeals Court justices where it is determined that no substantial question of law is presented by the appeal or that no clear error of law was committed which injuriously affected the substantial rights of an appellant. These decisions are not circulated to the full Court before being issued. Rule 1:28 decisions may only be cited for their persuasive value; they are not binding precedent. Parties may not cite to Rule 1:28 decisions issued before 2008.

Massachusetts Superior Court Opinions

The Superior Court is the Massachusetts trial court for general jurisdiction, handling civil actions involving more than $25,000 and criminal prosecutions for serious crimes (crimes with sentences carrying more than 2-½ years in prison). Business and commercial decisions issued by the Business Litigation Session (BLS) are not contained in this database, but are in the separate (BLS) database described below.

Business Litigation Session of the Superior Court

This database contains only decisions issued in the Business Litigation Session (BLS) of Suffolk Superior Court. These are specialized sessions that deal with business and commercial disputes. BLS decisions are NOT included in the general Superior Court Opinions database, described above.

Housing Court

The Housing Court Department of the Trial Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal actions, including equitable relief, which involve the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or owners of residential housing. The Court hears summary process (eviction) cases, small claims cases, and civil actions involving personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, discrimination, and other claims. The Housing Court also hears code enforcement actions and appeals of local zoning board decisions that affect residential housing.

Fair Labor Business Practices of the Attorney General

The Attorney General’s Fair Labor Business Practices Division is charged with enforcing the Massachusetts wage and hour laws, which require the timely payment of wages, minimum wage, and overtime, as well as other workplace protections like earned sick leave and the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (G.L. c. 149, § 190).

Land Court

The Land Court has jurisdiction over the registration of title to real property, and foreclosure and redemption of real estate tax liens. The Court shares jurisdiction over matters arising out of decisions by local planning boards and zoning boards of appeal, and over most real property matters.

Appellate Division Decisions of the Massachusetts District Court and the Boston Municipal Court

The Appellate Division offers intermediary appellate review for certain civil cases in the Massachusetts District Court (not to be confused with the United States District Court) and Boston Municipal Court. The Appellate Division hears appeals for actions for money damages, summary process cases, mental health proceedings, and other types of cases that may be referred to it.

United States District Court

This database contains decisions from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts from May 2000 through March 18, 2014. These are federal trial court level decisions. This database is no longer being updated.

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit hears appeals from the District Courts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island. This database contains decisions from November 1995 through December 31, 2013. This database is no longer being updated.

Administrative Descriptions

Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission

The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission works to provide uniform control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state. Decisions include the grant or denial of license applications, as well as suspensions of licenses of restaurants, stores, and wholesalers.

Appellate Tax Board

The Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board is an agency that conducts hearings and renders decisions on appeals from any state or local taxing authority. Cases the Board hears include: property tax, corporate excise, income tax, bank excise, sales and use tax, and automobile and other excises.

Attorney General Division of Open Government

Determinations and advisory opinions addressing potential violations of the Open Meeting Law by public bodies. 

Bid Protest Decisions of the Attorney General

Contains bid protest decisions from 2003 to the present in addition to some decisions from 1989-2002.

Board of Bar Overseers

The Board of Bar Overseers is an independent administrative body which investigates and evaluates complaints against attorneys and considers disciplinary actions.

Board of Conciliation and Arbitration

The Board of Conciliation and Arbitration provides mediation, investigation, adjudication, and litigation of the Commonwealth’s collective bargaining laws to foster and improve relationships between public employers and their employees.

Bureau of Special Education Appeals

The Bureau of Special Education Appeals works to resolve disputes among parents, school districts, private schools, and state agencies through mediation, advisory opinions, and hearings. It oversees eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs, special education services, and procedural protections for students with disabilities.

Board of Registration in Medicine

The Board of Registration in Medicine is a department of the Health and Human Services. It ensures that licensed physicians are qualified, competent, ethical, and provide their patients with high quality care.

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission is an impartial, independent appellate board that hears and decides appeals filed by certain state and municipal civil service employees and candidates seeking public employment.

Contributory Retirement Appeal Board

The Contributory Retirement Appeal Board hears appeals of decisions made by state, county, and municipal retirement boards.

Department of Environmental Protection

The Department of Environmental Protection protects human health by enforcing regulations pertaining to air quality and water resources, ensuring a safe environment after a timely cleanup of hazardous waste, and preserving wetlands and coastal resources.

Department of Industrial Accidents

The Department of Industrial Accidents is responsible for overseeing the Workers Compensation system in Massachusetts. It provides help and support to injured workers, employers, insurers, and attorneys.

Department of Public Health

The Department of Public Health works to promote health and wellness by inspecting and licensing a wide range of businesses and individuals. It oversees vendor compliance with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, as well as the food protection program. DPH also reviews and can suspend or deny licenses for EMTs, Certified Nurse’s Assistants, home care aides, alcohol and drug counselors (LADC), as well as licensing substance abuse and long-term care centers.

Department of Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety is a board within the Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. DPH oversees building accessibility for individuals with disabilities; and inspects and licenses building construction, heavy machinery, boilers, elevators, amusement rides, and power plants.

Department of Public Utilities (formerly DTE)

The Department of Public Utilities is responsible for oversight of investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth; developing alternatives to traditional regulation; monitoring service quality; regulating safety in the transportation and gas pipeline areas; and for certain aspects associated with the siting of energy facilities.

Division of Insurance

The Division of Insurance licenses insurance companies, reviews and approves rates and forms, coordinates the takeover and liquidation of insolvent insurance companies and the rehabilitation of financially troubled companies, and investigates complaints by consumers.

Department of Labor Relations (formerly LRC)

The Department of Labor Relations investigates unfair labor practice cases in the public sector, defines appropriate bargaining units, holds elections for public employees, provides mediation in labor disputes and contract negotiations, enforces special collective bargaining laws, and defends and enforces DLR decisions.

Energy Facilities Siting Board

The Siting Board's primary function is to license the construction of major energy infrastructure in Massachusetts, including large power plants, electric transmission lines, natural gas pipelines and natural gas storage facilities.

Fair Labor and Business Practices DALA

Preliminary and final decisions on appeal from the Office of the Attorney General’s Fair Labor and Business Practice. Heard by the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA).

Health Professions Licensure

Disciplinary and licensing decisions from 10 health care boards:

                • Board of Registration in Nursing 

                • Board of Registration in Pharmacy 

                • Board of Registration in Dentistry 

                • Board of Registration of Chiropractors 

                • Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists 

                • Board of Registration of Hearing Instrument Specialists 

                • Board of Registration of Genetic Counselors 

                • Board of Registration of Perfusionists 

                • Board of Registration of Physician Assistants 

                • Board of Respiratory Care 

                • Board of Registration in Naturopathy 

                • Board of Certification of Community Health Workers 

                • Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators 

                • Drug Control Program 

Housing Appeals Committee

The Housing Appeals Committee provides opportunities to hear and resolve concerns about planning, environmental issues, open space, design, health, safety, and other local concerns arising from the siting of new affordable housing.

Joint Labor Management Committee

The Joint Labor Management Committee is a neutral agency charged with administering the Commonwealth's collective bargaining statutes. The Department exercises jurisdiction over public sector employers, including all municipal police and firefighters and the labor organizations that represent their employees. This database contains arbitration decisions and awards.

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination enforces the state’s anti-discrimination laws in areas such as employment, housing, credit, public accommodations, and access to education while protecting individuals in a range of protected categories (i.e. race, color, creed, national origin, age, disability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation).

Office of the Attorney General

The Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth. The office is an advocate and resource for the Commonwealth and its residents in many areas, including protecting consumers, combating fraud and corruption, protecting civil rights, and promoting meaningful economic recovery. This database contains advisory opinions offering the office’s interpretation of state law.

State Ethics Commission

The State Ethics Commission strives to foster integrity in public service in state, county and local government, promote the public’s trust and confidence in that service, and prevent conflicts between private interests and public duties. The Commission offers advisory opinions as well as enforcement actions against current and former state employees who engage in bribery, prohibited gifts, financial conflicts, and other code of conduct violations.