SENATE, No. 919

By Mr. Hedlund, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 919) of Robert L. Hedlund for legislation to establish the crime of peeping or peering into dwelling houses. The Judiciary.
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

AN ACT establishing the crime of peeping or peering into dwelling houses

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. Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 53A the following section:-

            Section 53B. Whoever knowingly enters upon the property of another and peeps, peers, or spies into a dwelling through any door, window, or opening with the intent of invading the privacy of the occupants therein without permission or a legitimate reason shall be punished by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500 or both.

            A law enforcement officer may arrest, without a warrant, any person such officer has probable cause to believe has violated the provisions of this section.