Bill > H2823

This bill proposes several changes to Massachusetts law, primarily focusing on bank robberies, fraudulent checks, and identity fraud. It amends existing statutes to allow legal actions related to certain financial crimes, such as those involving forged checks, to be brought in the court where either the plaintiff or defendant resides or has a place of business, or where the main office of the affected bank or depository is located. The bill also revises penalties for bank robbery, increasing minimum prison sentences for offenses committed while masked, with a firearm or other deadly weapon, or within a banking institution or credit union, with harsher penalties for subsequent offenses. Additionally, it clarifies the penalties for robbery without a dangerous weapon, including attempted bank or credit union robbery, and introduces a new crime of identity fraud for possessing tools or devices with the intent to commit financial identity theft, punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.