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H 1823

An Act increasing penalties for hit and runs with recreational vehicles in the Commonwealth to be known as the James Ward Act

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger and 5 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill increasing criminal penalties for hit-and-run incidents involving recreational vehicles to deter fleeing accident scenes and improve victim protections.

Hearing scheduled for 05/06/2025 from 01:00 PM-04:00 PM in A-2
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 1823

Legislative bill overview

H 1823 increases criminal penalties specifically for hit-and-run incidents involving recreational vehicles (RVs, ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.) in Massachusetts. The bill is named after James Ward, suggesting it was prompted by a specific incident. The measure aims to deter operators of recreational vehicles from fleeing accident scenes.

Why is this important

Hit-and-run incidents involving recreational vehicles present distinct public safety challenges, as these vehicles often operate in less-regulated environments and operators may flee across difficult terrain. Stronger penalties could incentivize reporting accidents and improve victim compensation and legal accountability in cases where recreational vehicle operators cause injury or property damage.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: Ambiguity over which vehicles qualify as "recreational"—this could include ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, golf carts, and larger RVs, creating enforcement inconsistencies
  • Proportionality concerns: Critics may argue that recreational vehicle hit-and-runs, while serious, warrant separate penalty enhancement compared to standard vehicle hit-and-runs, or that penalties could become disproportionate
  • Enforcement challenges: Recreational vehicles often operate in rural or off-road areas where identification and tracking are difficult, raising questions about practical enforceability and whether penalties alone address the underlying problem

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

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