Bill > H1906

This bill modifies Massachusetts law regarding theft offenses by allowing law enforcement and prosecutors to aggregate multiple theft-related violations that occur within a 180-day period into a single count. Specifically, the bill applies to four sections of Chapter 266 of the Massachusetts General Laws (sections 30, 37B, 37C, and 60), enabling authorities to calculate the total value of stolen property or services across multiple incidents within that six-month timeframe to determine whether the offense should be classified as a misdemeanor or felony. This means that if a person commits several smaller thefts that individually might be considered misdemeanors, but the total value of those thefts exceeds the felony threshold when combined, they could be charged with a felony. The bill aims to provide a more comprehensive approach to prosecuting repeated theft offenses by allowing the cumulative value of stolen property or services to be considered in determining the severity of the criminal charge.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1906