Bill > H1589

This bill amends Section 39(a) of Chapter 265 of the Massachusetts General Laws related to hate crimes by making two key changes. First, it modifies the language in Lines 2 and 3 of the existing statute, replacing "of a person" with "of another" and "such person" with "a person," which appears to be a technical linguistic adjustment. Second, and more substantively, the bill adds a new paragraph specifying that if a court orders restitution for property damage in a hate crime case—where the damage was done with the intent to intimidate 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 provision ensures that restitution in hate crime cases is directly targeted at restoring the property that was damaged as a result of the discriminatory act.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1589