Decl. of Rights, Art. XXI
Freedom of debate in the legislature
Right
The Legislature
Declaration of Rights
Official text rightpowerlimitif conditionlegal term
The freedom of deliberation, speech and debate, in either house of the legislature, is so essential to the rights of the people, that it cannot be the foundation of any accusation or prosecution, action or complaint, in any other court or place whatsoever.
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [See Amendments, Art. XLVIII, The Initiative, II, sec. 2.]
Simplified explanation
The freedom of deliberation, speech and debate in either house of the legislature is so essential to the rights of the people that it cannot be the foundation of any accusation, prosecution, action or complaint in any other court or place.