Bill > S1082

This bill amends Massachusetts General Laws to enhance municipal enforcement capabilities by making two key changes. First, it increases the maximum civil penalty for ordinance violations from $300 to $1,000, providing municipalities with greater financial deterrence against infractions. Second, the bill establishes a new framework for civil penalty assessment in equity suits brought by cities or towns to enforce local ordinances, by-laws, rules, or regulations. Under this new provision, courts can now assess civil penalties while considering six specific factors: whether the violation was willful or negligent, harm to public health or environment, economic benefits gained by the violator, costs incurred by the municipality, the defendant's history of noncompliance, and whether good faith efforts were made to remedy the violation after initial notice. The penalties are intended to be in addition to any equitable relief and will be paid to the municipality for its discretionary use. This legislation aims to provide municipal governments with more robust tools to address and deter violations of local regulations.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1082