Bill > H4633

This bill makes several key changes to Massachusetts law regarding hate crimes and restraining orders. First, it expands the definition of "harassment" to include three or more acts of willful and malicious conduct intended to cause fear, intimidation, or damage to property, specifically when those acts target a person based on characteristics like race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The bill also modifies existing laws related to hate crimes by clarifying that assaulting, battering, or damaging the property of a person with the intent to intimidate them because of their (or their immediate family member's) protected characteristics can result in a fine up to $5,000, imprisonment up to 2.5 years, or both. Additionally, the bill provides a comprehensive definition of "immediate family member" for the purposes of these provisions, which includes spouses, children, siblings, parents, guardians, grandparents, and their respective step or adopted variations. These changes aim to provide clearer legal protections and more robust mechanisms for addressing hate-motivated offenses and harassment.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on the Judiciary (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4633