Massachusetts § 117 - Establishment; responsibility of cities and towns; penalty for noncompliance

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 117 — Establishment; responsibility of cities and towns; penalty for noncompliance, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 117. Establishment; responsibility of cities and towns; penalty for noncompliance

Section 117. Cities and towns shall provide for units of the armed forces of the commonwealth not provided with a state armory or air installation, and permanently stationed within their limits, adequate facilities, including a suitable hall for the purpose of drill, and suitable rooms, properly equipped, annexed thereto for the assemblies of such units, for administrative work, and for the safekeeping of military property. They shall provide for such facilities the necessary fuel, lights, water, janitor service and necessary repairs, or shall make a reasonable monetary allowance therefor to the commonwealth.

Where two or more units of the armed forces of the commonwealth are permanently stationed in the same city or town, the city or town may, instead of providing each with a suitable hall for drill, provide one or more halls to be used by the units in common.

Any city or town failing to comply with this section shall forfeit to the commonwealth a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars for each year, for each unit, during which such failure continues, to be recovered upon an information in equity brought in the superior or supreme judicial court by the attorney general at the relation of the adjutant general. Any amount so forfeited shall be credited to the armory appropriation for the fiscal year in which the forfeiture occurs.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 117

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 117 cover?

Section 117 ("Establishment; responsibility of cities and towns; penalty for noncompliance") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 117?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 117" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 117 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.