Bill > H917

This bill aims to curtail gang activity and witness intimidation by establishing municipal judicial safety zones. The key provisions are: 1. Municipalities can designate areas around courthouses or high-crime areas as "municipal safety zones" after consultation with the Trial Court and local District Attorney. These zones must be clearly defined and publicly communicated. 2. Civil actions can be brought to enjoin specific gang-related activities within these safety zones, such as witness intimidation, illegal firearm possession/sales, drug-related offenses, and threats of violence. The court can order various forms of relief, including monetary damages and property forfeiture. 3. Proceedings under this law will be heard in the superior, Boston municipal, or district courts, and any violations of court orders can be punished with up to 1 year in jail. The courts can conduct evidentiary hearings and hold entire criminal street gangs liable for the actions of their members. 4. Plaintiffs can seek temporary orders to protect the community within the safety zones, and the courts must provide defendants an opportunity to be heard on these orders within 10 business days. 5. The municipality must provide at least 30 days of public notice before any civil actions are commenced under this law.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H917