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MA H1835

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/27/2025

Primary Sponsor

Jack Lewis

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

194th General Court

AI Summary

  • Creates a "Romeo and Juliet" exception to statutory rape laws, exempting defendants who are no more than 2 years older than the minor when the minor is at least 13 years old
  • Amends Chapter 265, Section 13B (indecent assault and battery on a child under 14) and Section 23 (statutory rape of a minor under 16) to include the close-in-age exemption
  • Requires all prosecutions under these sections involving defendants under the age of criminal majority to proceed only in juvenile court or juvenile session of district court
  • Repeals Section 4 of Chapter 272 of the General Laws
  • Filed by Representative Jack Patrick Lewis (7th Middlesex) on January 15, 2025; referred to the Judiciary Committee

Legislative Description

Supporting consenting young adults

Last Action

Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

10/20/2025

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/27/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available