An Act relative to historic homes

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rich Haggerty

Adds a law protecting historic homes by criminalizing theft or damage to features, with fines, up to 2 years imprisonment, and mandatory restitution to homeowners.

Hearing scheduled for 10/21/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

Overview

H 1737, titled “An Act relative to historic homes,” introduces a new provision to protect historic dwellings in Massachusetts by criminalizing certain acts that damage or remove items from historic homes. The measure defines what qualifies as a historic home, sets penalties, and requires restitution to homeowners for damages.

Key provisions

New law insertion: The bill would add Section 95A to Chapter 266 of the General Laws, inserting its text after existing Section 95.

Definition of “historic home”:

A dwelling listed in the State Register of Historic Places (Massachusetts Historical Commission, per G. L. c. 9, § 26C), or
Identified by a plaque designating the homestead as an historic homestead (per G. L. c. 9, § 27D).

Offense and penalties:

It is unlawful to willfully, intentionally, and without right remove items from a historic home (examples include copper gutters, copper wiring, aluminum, brick) or to displace, destroy, deface, mar, or injure walls, wainscoting, appurtenances, or other parts of the historic home.
Penalty range: a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, or imprisonment for up to 2 years.
Restitution: any person convicted must reimburse the historic homeowner for the total amount of damages incurred, in addition to any fine.

Who is affected

Protected parties: Historic homeowners and property owners whose properties are listed or plaque-identified as historic.

Potential offenders: Individuals who remove or damage elements of historic homes.

Authorities: Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary who would handle offenses under this new section.

Procedural and timeline details

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

House action: Referred to the Judiciary Committee on February 27, 2025.

Hearing: Scheduled for October 21, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room A-2.

Legislative status: House Docket No. 3656 (House bill 1737); a related matter was filed in a prior session (H 1541 in 2023-2024). Legislative actions show a Senate reference/concurrence in the documented actions.

Potential impact

Strengthens protections for historic properties by imposing clear penalties for vandalism or theft and mandating full restitution to homeowners.

Clarifies which properties are protected by defining “historic home” through state historic designation or plaque recognition.

May deter acts of vandalism or theft targeting historic features and materials (e.g., copper, brick) by increasing the risk of penalties and financial liability.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to the prior filers (HD 1541) or provide a side-by-side with similar protections in other states.

Bill