|
|
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE II. EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
CHAPTER 21. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
§ 17C. Public use of land for recreational, conservation, scientific
educational and other purposes; landowner's liability limited; exception
(a) Any person having an interest in land including the structures, buildings, and
equipment attached to the land, including without limitation, wetlands, rivers, streams,
ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water, who lawfully permits the public to use such land
for recreational, conservation, scientific, educational, environmental, ecological,
research, religious, or charitable purposes without imposing a charge or fee therefor, or
who leases such land for said purposes to the commonwealth or any political subdivision
thereof or to any nonprofit corporation, trust or association, shall not be liable for
personal injuries or property damage sustained by such members of the public, including
without limitation a minor, while on said land in the absence of wilful, wanton, or
reckless conduct by such person. Such permission shall not confer upon any member of the
public using said land, including without limitation a minor, the status of an invitee or
licensee to whom any duty would be owed by said person.
(b) The liability of any person who imposes a charge or fee for the use of his land by
the public for the purposes described in subsection (a) shall not be limited by any
provision of this section. The term "person" as used in this section shall be
deemed to include the person having an interest in the land, his agent, manager, or
licensee and shall include without limitation, any governmental body, agency or
instrumentality, nonprofit corporation, trust or association, and any director, officer,
trustee, member, employee or agent thereof. A contribution or other voluntary payment not
required to be made to use such land shall not be considered a charge or fee within the
meaning of this section.
Amended in 1998.
Reviewed by AAHS in July 2001.
Return to Top of This Page