WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 2 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: "AlgorithmAlgorithm"Algorithm", a specific procedure, set of rules, or order of operations designed to solve a problem or make a calculation, classification, or recommendation.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a)", a specific procedure, set of rules, or order of operations designed to solve a problem or make a calculation, classification, or recommendation. "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", computerized methods and tools, including but not limited to machine learning and natural language processing, that act in a way that resembles human cognitive abilities when it comes to solving problems or performing certain tasks.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a)", computerized methods and tools, including but not limited to machine learning and natural language processing, that act in a way that resembles human cognitive abilities when it comes to solving problems or performing certain tasks. "Automated decision systemAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a)", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithmsAlgorithm"Algorithm", a specific procedure, set of rules, or order of operations designed to solve a problem or make a calculation, classification, or recommendation.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) or artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", computerized methods and tools, including but not limited to machine learning and natural language processing, that act in a way that resembles human cognitive abilities when it comes to solving problems or performing certain tasks.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a). These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare. "Commonwealth of MassachusettsCommonwealth of Massachusetts"Commonwealth of Massachusetts or "Massachusetts office", any agency, constitutional office, department, board, commission, bureau, division or authority of the commonwealth, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any authority established by the general court to serve a public purpose.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) or "Massachusetts office", any agency, constitutional office, department, board, commission, bureau, division or authority of the commonwealth, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any authority established by the general court to serve a public purpose. "Source codeSource code"Source code", the structure of a computer program that can be read and understood by people.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a)", the structure of a computer program that can be read and understood by people. "Training dataTraining data"Training data", the data used to inform the development of an automated decision system and the decisions or recommendations it generates.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a)", the data used to inform the development of an automated decision systemAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) and the decisions or recommendations it generates.
Subsection (a) establishes the defined terms used throughout the new section. The most significant definition is automated decision system, which is broadly drawn to cover any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aids or replaces human decision-making using algorithms or AI — encompassing scoring, prediction, classification, and recommendation systems used by state agencies. The definition of Commonwealth of Massachusetts or Massachusetts office is similarly broad, covering all agencies, constitutional offices, departments, boards, commissions, bureaus, divisions, authorities, and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth.
(b) 1 There shall be a commission within the executive office of technology services and security for the purpose of studying and making recommendations relative to the use by the commonwealth of automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) that may affect human welfare, including but not limited to the legal rights and privileges of individuals. In carrying out its work, the commission shall examine the following on an ongoing basis:
(b)(i) 1 a complete and specific survey of all uses of automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) by the commonwealth of MassachusettsCommonwealth of Massachusetts"Commonwealth of Massachusetts or "Massachusetts office", any agency, constitutional office, department, board, commission, bureau, division or authority of the commonwealth, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any authority established by the general court to serve a public purpose.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) and the purposes for which such systems are used;
(b)(ii) 1 the principles, policies, and guidelines adopted by specific Massachusetts offices to inform the procurement, evaluation, and use of automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a), the procedures by which such principles, policies, and guidelines are adopted, and any gaps in such principles, policies, and guidelines;
(b)(iii) 1 the training specific Massachusetts offices provide to individuals using automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a), the procedures for enforcing the principles, policies, and guidelines regarding their use, and any gaps in training or enforcement;
(b)(iv) 1 the manner by which Massachusetts offices validate and test the automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) they use, and the manner by which they evaluate those systems on an ongoing basis, specifying the training dataTraining data"Training data", the data used to inform the development of an automated decision system and the decisions or recommendations it generates.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a), input data, systems analysis, studies, vendor or community engagement, third-parties, or other methods used in such validation, testing, and evaluation;
(b)(v) 1 matters related to the transparency, explicability, auditability, and accountability of automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a), including information about their structure; the processes guiding their procurement, implementation and review; whether they can be audited externally and independently; and the people who operate such systems and the training they receive;
(b)(vi) 1 the manner and extent to which Massachusetts offices make the automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) they use available to external review, and any existing policies, laws, procedures, or guidelines that may limit external access to data or technical information that is necessary for audits, evaluation, or validation of such systems;
(b)(vii) 1 the due process rights of individuals directly affected by automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a), and the public disclosure and transparency procedures necessary to ensure such individuals are aware of the use of the systems and understand their related due process rights;
(b)(viii) 1 uses of automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) that directly or indirectly result in disparate outcomes for individuals or communities based on age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, receipt of public assistance, economic status, location of residence, or citizenship status;
(b)(ix) 1 technical, legal, or policy controls to improve the just and equitable use of automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) and mitigate any disparate impacts deriving from their use, including best practices and policies developed through research and academia or in other states and jurisdictions;
(b)(x) 1 matters related to data sources, data sharing agreements, data security provisions, compliance with data protection laws and regulations, and all other issues related to how data is protected, used, and shared by agencies using automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a);
(b)(xi) 1 matters related to automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) and intellectual property, such as the existence of non-disclosure agreements, trade secrets claims, and other proprietary interests, and the impacts of intellectual property considerations on transparency, explicability, auditability, accountability, and due process; and
(b)(xii) 1 any other opportunities and risks associated with the use of automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) by Massachusetts offices.
Subsection (b) creates the commission and defines its substantive mandate. The commission is housed within the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security and is charged with studying government use of automated decision systems that may affect human welfare, including legal rights and privileges. The twelve enumerated study areas cover a comprehensive sweep: inventorying all government uses of automated decision systems; reviewing procurement and governance policies; examining training and enforcement procedures; assessing validation and testing practices; evaluating transparency, auditability, and accountability; reviewing external audit accessibility; examining due process rights; analyzing disparate-impact outcomes across a broad set of protected characteristics; identifying mitigation controls; reviewing data governance practices; assessing intellectual property barriers to transparency; and any other relevant risks and opportunities.
This subsection does not impose direct compliance obligations on regulated entities. It creates a government-internal study body whose output takes the form of recommendations rather than binding rules.
(c) The commission shall consist of the secretary of technology services and security or the secretary's designee, who shall serve as chair; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight; the chief justice of the supreme judicial court or a designee; the attorney general or a designee; the state auditor or a designee; the inspector general or a designee; the secretaries of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Department of Children and Families, and Executive Office of Health and Human Services, or their designees; the chief counsel of the committee for public counsel services or a designee; the chief legal counsel of the Massachusetts Bar Association or a designee; the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts or a designee; 4 representatives from academic institutions in the Commonwealth who shall be experts in (i) artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", computerized methods and tools, including but not limited to machine learning and natural language processing, that act in a way that resembles human cognitive abilities when it comes to solving problems or performing certain tasks.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) and machine learning, (ii) data science and information policy, (iii) social implications of artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", computerized methods and tools, including but not limited to machine learning and natural language processing, that act in a way that resembles human cognitive abilities when it comes to solving problems or performing certain tasks.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) and technology; or (iv) technology and the law; the executive director of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute or a designee; 1 representative from a the National Association of Social Workers; and 1 representative from the Massachusetts High Technology Council.
Subsection (c) specifies the composition of the commission. The chair is the Secretary of Technology Services and Security (or designee). Members include legislative leaders of the joint committee on state administration, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court (or designee), the Attorney General, the State Auditor, the Inspector General, secretaries of three executive agencies, the chief counsel of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the ACLU of Massachusetts, four academic experts (in AI/ML, data science, social implications of AI, and technology law), the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, a representative from the National Association of Social Workers, and a representative from the Massachusetts High Technology Council. This provision creates no compliance obligation — it structures the commission body.
(d) 2 Members of the commission shall be appointed within 45 days of the effective date of this act. The commission shall meet at the call of the chair based on the commission's workload but not fewer than 6 times per calendar year.
Subsection (d) requires commission members to be appointed within 45 days of the effective date and mandates that the commission meet at least six times per calendar year at the call of the chair. This is a procedural requirement governing the commission's operations.
(e) 3 The commission shall submit an annual report by December 31 to the governor, the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, and the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight. The report will be a public record and it shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the commission's activities and any community engagement undertaken by the commission, the commission's findings and any recommendations for regulatory or legislative action, including recommendations about areas where Massachusetts offices ought not to use automated decision systemsAutomated decision system"Automated decision system", any computer program, method, statistical model, or process that aims to aid or replace human decision-making using algorithms or artificial intelligence. These systems can include analyzing complex datasets about human populations and government services or other activities to generate scores, predictions, classifications, or recommendations used by agencies to make decisions that impact human welfare.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a), with a timeline for implementation, cost estimates and finance mechanisms. The report shall also detail the extent of algorithmic decision-making used by the commonwealth of MassachusettsCommonwealth of Massachusetts"Commonwealth of Massachusetts or "Massachusetts office", any agency, constitutional office, department, board, commission, bureau, division or authority of the commonwealth, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any authority established by the general court to serve a public purpose.G.L. c. 7D, § 11(a) and the progress made toward implementing any previous recommendations issued by the commission.
Subsection (e) requires the commission to submit an annual public report by December 31 to the Governor, the clerks of both chambers, and the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight. The report must cover the commission's activities, community engagement, findings, and recommendations for regulatory or legislative action — including recommendations on areas where the state should not use automated decision systems, with implementation timelines and cost estimates. The report must also detail the current extent of algorithmic decision-making across state government and track progress on prior recommendations.