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HD 3516

An Act establishing a special commission on check washing crimes

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 3 co-sponsors

Establishes a temporary legislative commission to study check-washing crimes and propose stronger protections, penalties, and prosecution methods; findings due by 6/30/2026.

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Bill Summary · HD 3516

Summary: An Act establishing a special commission on check washing crimes (HD 3516)

Overview

This bill would establish a temporary, independent legislative commission in Massachusetts to identify ways to deter and prosecute check washing crimes. Check washing is defined as intercepting a check or money order and altering the payee name and/or dollar amount to fraudulently cash or deposit it.

Purpose

  • Explore and recommend measures to better protect consumers from check washing.
  • Determine appropriate penalties for check washing offenses.
  • Identify more effective methods of prosecuting check washing crimes.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of a special legislative commission to study check washing crimes and propose improvements.
  • The commission may hold hearings to gather input from the public.
  • The commission must deliver findings and any legislative recommendations to the clerks of the House and Senate.

Commission Composition

The commission would include:
- Co-chairs: House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services.
- 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 designee.
- A representative from the Massachusetts Bankers Association.
- The Secretary of Public Safety and Security or designee.
- A representative from the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
- Two members appointed by the Governor: one a retired postal worker/postmaster; one with at least five years of federal law enforcement experience.

Activities and Powers

  • The commission may hold hearings to solicit public input.
  • It will study and provide guidance on consumer protection, penalties, and prosecutorial approaches related to check washing crimes.

Reporting Timeline

  • The commission must file its report with findings and any legislative recommendations with the clerks of the House and Senate no later than June 30, 2026.

Impact and Implications

  • No immediate criminal penalties or policy changes are enacted by the bill itself; rather, it creates a structured, multi-stakeholder process to review and propose reforms.
  • Potential outcomes include strengthened consumer protections, updated penalties, and enhanced enforcement strategies for check washing crimes.
  • The bill involves collaboration among financial institutions, law enforcement, postal services, and state government.

Status Context

  • The text provided indicates the bill was introduced in the 2025-2026 session (House Docket No. 3516) with a January 17, 2025 filing date. The user notes November 29, 2025 as an introduction date, but the official document shows January 2025. Status beyond introduction (e.g., passage or current committee action) is not specified here.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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