The Massachusetts legislature introduced a bill to eliminate debt-based incarceration and license suspensions for reasons not related to safe driving including failure to pay indigent counsel fees or parking tickets. The bill also requires the reduction or waiver of an assessment for a parking violation if it will cause substantial financial hardship to the defendant or their family, and the waiver of all late fees and administrative fees for driver’s who are a recipient of any needs based public assistance or meet the definition of indigency.
Read the full text of the bill here and the companion bill here.
Primary sponsor(s): Rep. Nika C. Elugardo
Bill number: H.3453
Name of Bill (as introduced): An Act to Eliminate Debt-Based Incarceration and Suspensions
Status: Pending