Bill > H401

This bill proposes to amend Section 73 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws to establish a mandatory minimum sentence for the willful destruction, defacement, or damage of burial tombs and grave markers. Specifically, it adds language that would require a sentence of not less than one thousand dollars and mandates that the sentence imposed cannot be reduced to less than six months, nor can it be suspended. Furthermore, individuals convicted under this section would not be eligible for probation, parole, or furlough, nor would they receive any good conduct deductions from their sentence until they have served at least six months. The bill also specifies that prosecutions under this section cannot be continued without a finding or placed on file, and that certain provisions of section 87-seven of chapter 276, which often relate to the disposition of criminal cases, will not apply to those charged with violating this section.