By Bob Katzen

This bill Requires the Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Attorney General to establish regulations setting a penalty schedule for individuals making false marine distress calls. The penalties must include reimbursements by individuals making the false call of the costs incurred by the responding state agencies.

Supporters say that these false calls can cost the state thousands of dollars and also tie up emergency response teams that could be responding to real distress calls.

Sponsor Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on her bill.