# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5B: False representations or failure to disclose facts; penalty

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5B

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5B
- **Heading:** False representations or failure to disclose facts; penalty
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title II / Chapter 18 / Section 5B

## Text

Section 5B. Any person or institution which knowingly makes a false representation or, contrary to a legal duty to do so, knowingly fails to disclose any material fact affecting eligibility or level of benefits to the department of public welfare or its agents, for the purpose of causing any person, including the person making such representations, to be supported in whole or in part by the commonwealth, or for the purpose of procuring a payment under any assistance program administered by the department, shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred nor more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the institution of criminal proceedings for the violation of any other law of the commonwealth.

Section 5B. Any person or institution which knowingly makes a false representation or, contrary to a legal duty to do so, knowingly fails to disclose any material fact affecting eligibility or level of benefits to the department of public welfare or its agents, for the purpose of causing any person, including the person making such representations, to be supported in whole or in part by the commonwealth, or for the purpose of procuring a payment under any assistance program administered by the department, shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred nor more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the institution of criminal proceedings for the violation of any other law of the commonwealth.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 1 Department of transitional assistance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 2 Comprehensive financial assistance program; services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 2A Food stamp employment and training plan; maximization of federal 50–50 match program](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S2A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 2B Educational program; services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S2B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 3 Commissioner; appointment; qualifications; salary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 4 Deputy commissioner; assistant commissioners; qualifications; salaries; succession; bond](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5 Organization of department; regional offices; community service areas](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5B False representations or failure to disclose facts; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5C Vendors' bill for services; perjury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5D Vendors; violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5D.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5E Return of unlawful payments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5E.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5F Father's leaving family to obtain assistance; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5F.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5G Claimant; subrogation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5G.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18, sec. 5H Recipients of medical assistance under chapter 118E; subrogation; notice; policy provisions; payment by department; information concerning recipients](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5H.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TII_C18_S5B. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.