{"id":"DUT-MA-006","kind":"duty","level":"state","jurisdiction":"Massachusetts","state":"MA","metro":"","industry":"","agency":"","eco":"","issuer":"General Court (codified statute; duties of selectmen and boards of health)","authority":"Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title XVI, Chapter 111","instrument":"G.L. c. 111, s. 104","title":"Prevention of spread of infection; public notice; removal","dateIssued":"2026-09-28","effective":"standing","end":"standing","startDate":"2026-09-28","endDate":"","quarters":["2020Q2","2020Q3","2020Q4","2021Q1","2021Q2","2021Q3"],"types":["DUTY","QUAR"],"addressees":["selectmen and boards of health (duty); persons generally (obstruction offense)"],"clause":"If a disease dangerous to the public health exists in a town, the selectmen and board of health shall use all possible care to prevent the spread of the infection and may give public notice of infected places... Whoever obstructs the selectmen, board of health or its agent in using such means... shall forfeit not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars.","enforcement":"Forfeiture of $10 to $100 for obstruction or interference with posted notices","functions":[],"notes":"A mandatory duty on every municipality\u0027s selectmen and board of health, once a dangerous disease exists in the town, to \u0027use all possible care to prevent the spread of the infection,\u0027 with a forfeiture for whoever obstructs them or removes, obliterates, defaces or handles the posted notices.","sourceUrl":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter111/Section104","snapshot":"","fileExists":true,"fileBytes":51211,"grade":"primary","character":"statutory_duty","description":"","collection":"DUT-MA","url":"/library/DUT-MA-006","exhibitUrl":"/exhibit/DUT-MA-006","citation":"General Court (codified statute; duties of selectmen and boards of health), G.L. c. 111, s. 104 (standing) (Ex. DUT-MA-006)","stateName":"Massachusetts","related":[]}