Opinion of the Justices to the Senate

To the Honorable the Senate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court respectfully submit their answer to the question set forth in an order adopted by the Senate on September 17, 2001, and transmitted to the Justices on September 21, 2001.1 The order indicates that there is pending before the General Court a bill, Senate No. 1939, *1202entitled “An Act relative to profits from crime.” A copy of the bill was transmitted with the order. The bill adds c. 258D to the General Laws, which requires that certain contracts with a person who committed a crime be…