HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5038        FILED ON: 8/13/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

William C. Galvin

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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 further protecting witnesses from intimidation.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5038        FILED ON: 8/13/2025

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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 further protecting witnesses from intimidation.

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

Subsection (b) of section 13B of chapter 268 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following 2 sentences:- If the misconduct utilizes social media or internet communications, such person shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 20 years or by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2½ years or by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment. If the misconduct occurs within 50 feet of the courthouse in which a proceeding described in this section occurred or will occur, such person shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 20 years or by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2½ years or by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment.