Bill > H4098

This bill proposes to increase penalties for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, particularly when such operation causes injury or death to another person. Specifically, it introduces new penalties for individuals convicted of driving after their license or right to operate has been suspended or revoked, and this suspension or revocation was due to serious reasons such as a conviction, outstanding warrant, or offenses requiring a suspension of 30 days or more. The bill outlines escalating penalties based on the severity of the outcome: causing injury results in fines up to $5,000 and jail time up to 2.5 years, causing serious bodily injury leads to fines up to $10,000 and potential state prison time up to 5 years, and causing death carries fines up to $15,000 and mandatory state prison time of at least 2 years, with stricter sentencing for repeat offenders. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to include references to these new penalty categories in other sections of Massachusetts General Laws, impacting how certain offenses are classified and prosecuted.