MA H1669

Increases the maximum civil penalty for municipal ordinance and by-law violations from $300 to $1,000

Authorizes cities and towns to bring equity suits in superior court, district court, or land court to enforce local ordinances, by-laws, rules, regulations, or orders

Allows courts to award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to municipalities in enforcement actions, in addition to civil penalties and equitable relief

Requires courts to consider six factors when assessing penalties: whether the violation was willful or negligent, harm to public health/safety/environment, economic benefit gained by the defendant, cost to the municipality, defendant's history of noncompliance, and good faith efforts to cure the violation

Civil penalties collected would be paid to the city or town for use at the municipality's discretion