Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin yesterday criticized Bank of America’s plan to impose monthly fees on basic checking accounts unless customers maintain a minimum balance or buy other bank services.

"These reported fees constitute a burden on many bank customers, in particular the elderly and the young, especially in these days when banks offer little or no interested on deposits," Galvin said in a statement.

He said he is filing legislation to bar any bank from holding state or municipal government deposits in Massachusetts unless they offer free checking to customers who are under age 19 or 65 and older. State-chartered banks are already required to offer such accounts. The legislation would apply to nationally chartered banks, including BofA.

BofA has a pilot program in Massachusetts, trying out fees of $6 to $9 a month on "essentials" accounts. Other plans have charges as high as $25 a month, but waive that if customers maintain minimum balances, take out a mortgage or use a bank credit card.

Galvin said that the13 Registries of Deeds he oversees are scheduled to move their funds from BofA to Citizens Bank as of April 1.