HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1061        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Daniel J. Hunt

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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 aggressive panhandling on or adjacent to public ways.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1061        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1563 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to aggressive panhandling on or adjacent to public ways.

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

Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 67 the following section:-

Section 67A.  A person begging, or panhandling, to receive funds or alms: (i) within 20 feet of a public way; and (ii) in a manner that is disorderly or disturbing, or which involves profane, obscene or indecent language or behavior, may be punished by no more than 3 months in the house of correction.