Bill > S1056

This bill proposes several amendments to Section 39 of Chapter 265 of the Massachusetts General Laws regarding hate crime provisions. Specifically, the bill makes linguistic changes to the existing hate crime statute by replacing the phrase "of a person" with "of another" and "such person" with "a person" in the existing text. More significantly, the bill adds a new paragraph that clarifies how restitution should be handled in hate crime cases involving property damage. Under the new provision, if a court orders restitution for damage to real or personal property that was intentionally damaged with the purpose of intimidating someone based on their race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, the restitution funds must be specifically used to repair the damaged property. This amendment provides clearer guidance on the use of restitution funds in hate crime cases and reinforces the legal protections for victims of bias-motivated property damage.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1056