HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2021        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1571

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Denise Provost

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the award of attorney’s fees, staff time, costs and expenses in code enforcement matters.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2021        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1571

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act relative to the award of attorney’s fees, staff time, costs and expenses in code enforcement matters.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 1.Chapter 40 of the General Laws, appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding after section 60A the following new section:-

Section 61.  Any governmental unit or entity, including but not limited to a city, town, state agency or department, specially created governmental entity, district, governmental or municipal body politic and corporate, or the like, either directly or acting through any of its officers, agents, officials, departments, commissions, agencies or the like,  may, in any action filed in any court or agency seeking enforcement of any laws, rules or regulations within its jurisdiction, petition the court or agency for an award of attorney’s fees, reimbursement for staff time, costs and other expenses related to the enforcement action and said sums may be so awarded either as part of any general or specific relief granted or specifically for said purpose.