Massachusetts § 4 - Refusal or neglect to give information to registrars or other authorized persons

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 4 — Refusal or neglect to give information to registrars or other authorized persons, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 4. Refusal or neglect to give information to registrars or other authorized persons

Section 4. Whoever, being an inmate of a building and a resident seventeen years of age or upward, refuses or neglects to give the information required by section four of chapter fifty-one when asked by a registrar, assistant registrar, or anyone so authorized under section fourteen A of said chapter fifty-one to perform such duties, or whoever being an owner or an occupant of a building, or a clerk, superintendent, manager, administrator, or other person having in charge the affairs of a hotel, lodging house, public lodging house, multi-dwelling unit, nursing home, or rest home, as referred to in section ten A of said chapter fifty-one refuses or neglects to give the full and true information within his or her knowledge relating to all persons residing in such building, home, or unit, when asked by such registrar or other authorized person, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year. Whoever, being a licensed innholder, keeper of a lodging house, or public lodging house, keeper or owner of a multi-dwelling unit, or administrator of a nursing home or rest home, fails in any respect to make the reports required by said section ten A of said chapter fifty-one in the detail and manner and within the time therein provided shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 4

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 4 cover?

Section 4 ("Refusal or neglect to give information to registrars or other authorized persons") 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 § 4?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 4" (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 § 4 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.