c. 268, § 40
Reports of crimes to law enforcement officials
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever knows that another person is a victim of aggravated rape, rape, murder, manslaughter or armed robbery and is at the scene of said crime shall, to the extent that said person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report said crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Any person who violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred nor more than two thousand and five hundred dollars.
Simplified explanation
A person who knows another is a victim of rape, murder, manslaughter or armed robbery and is at the scene must report it to law enforcement when safe, or face a fine of $500 to $2,500.