Amendment #696 to H4600

Check Washing Special Commission

Representatives Jones of North Reading, Ferguson of Holden, Frost of Auburn, Gifford of Wareham, Barrows of Mansfield and Smola of Warren move to amend the bill by adding the following section:-

“SECTION XX. There is hereby established a special legislative commission to identify ways the commonwealth can more effectively deter and prosecute check washing crimes. For the purposes of this section, “check washing” shall be defined as the act of intercepting a check or money order and chemically or otherwise altering the check or money order to change the name of the payee, the dollar amount, or both and fraudulently cashing or depositing, or attempting to cash or deposit, the check or money order.

The commission shall consist of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on financial services, who shall co-chair the commission and convene its first meeting within 60 days of the effective date of this act; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on consumer protection and professional licensure; one member appointed by the senate president; one member appointed by the senate minority leader; one member appointed by the house speaker; one member appointed by the house minority leader; the commissioner of banks or their designee; a representative from the Massachusetts bankers association; the secretary of public safety and security or their designee; a representative from the Massachusetts chiefs of police association; and two members appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be a retired postal worker or postmaster and one of whom shall have a minimum of five years of federal law enforcement experience.

The commission may convene one or more hearings to solicit input from the public. In conducting its investigation, the commission shall consider, but not be limited to: identifying ways to better protect consumers from falling victim to check washing schemes; determining appropriate penalties for those who engage in check washing; and identifying more effective means of prosecuting check washing crimes.

The commission shall file a report containing its findings, along with any legislative recommendations, with the clerk of the house and the clerk of the senate on or before June 30, 2025.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #696 to H4600

Check Washing Special Commission