Bill > S1103

This bill addresses check fraud and check washing by making three key changes to Massachusetts law. First, it clarifies jurisdictional rules for prosecuting check-related larceny, allowing legal action to be taken either where the fraudulent check was uttered (passed) or where the bank's main office is located. Second, it establishes similar jurisdictional flexibility for check-related criminal actions. Third, and most significantly, the bill introduces specific penalties for "check washing," which is defined as intercepting and chemically or otherwise altering a check to change the payee's name or dollar amount with the intent to fraudulently cash or deposit it. The penalties are tiered based on the amount of funds involved: for amounts over $1,200, offenders can face up to ten years in state prison and a fine of up to $50,000, while for amounts $1,200 or less, the penalty is up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $3,000. By creating a precise definition and establishing clear penalties, the bill aims to provide law enforcement with more robust tools to prosecute check fraud and protect financial institutions and individuals from this type of financial crime.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1103