HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3222        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2819

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Bradford Hill and Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

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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 public record fines.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Bradford Hill

4th Essex

1/18/2013

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

20th Middlesex

1/30/2013


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3222        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2819

By Messrs. Hill of Ipswich and Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2819) of Bradford Hill and Bradley H. Jones, Jr. for legislation to impose a fine for public officials in noncompliance with allowing access to public records.  State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

An Act relative to public record fines.

 

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. Section 10 of chapter 66 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the fourth sentence of paragraph (b) and inserting in place thereof the followings:-

If the custodian refuses or fails to comply with any such order within 10 days following notification of such order, the custodian shall be deemed in violation of the duties required of him by this chapter and subject to the penalties prescribed under section 15.  The supervisor of records shall notify the attorney general or the appropriate district attorney thereof who shall take whatever measures he deems necessary to insure compliance with the provisions of this section.

Section 2.  Section 15 of chapter 66 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking the last sentence and inserting in place thereof the following:-

Any public officer who refuses or neglects to perform any duty required of him by this chapter, including failure to comply with an order from the supervisor of records made pursuant to paragraph (b) of section 10, shall for each day of such neglect or refusal be punished by a fine of not more than $100.