MA S1082

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

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

Allows courts to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to municipalities in addition to civil penalties and equitable relief

Civil penalties collected go directly to the city or town for use at their discretion

Courts must 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 after notice