Bill > H1525

This bill increases the penalties for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, specifically for offenses outlined in Section 24(2)(a½)(1) and (2) of Chapter 90 of the General Laws. For the first offense, the punishment is changed from a minimum of six months to a maximum of two years imprisonment to either imprisonment in the house of correction for up to two and a half years or imprisonment in state prison for two and a half to five years. For the second offense, the punishment is increased from a minimum of two and a half years to a maximum of ten years imprisonment in state prison to a maximum of fifteen years imprisonment in state prison. Additionally, the bill amends Section 63 of Chapter 277 of the General Laws to allow indictments or complaints for the second offense (under Section 24(2)(a½)(2) of Chapter 90) to be brought at any time after the offense is committed, removing any statute of limitations for this specific crime.