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H 1777

An Act relative to expanding protections against incest

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 3 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill expands incest law protections by broadening covered family relationships and strengthening legal safeguards against sexual exploitation within families.

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1777

Legislative bill overview

H 1777 expands legal protections against incest in Massachusetts by broadening the definition of familial relationships covered under incest statutes and potentially increasing penalties or enforcement mechanisms. The bill addresses gaps in current law that may leave certain family relationships inadequately protected from sexual exploitation.

Why is this important

Incest laws exist to protect vulnerable family members from sexual abuse and exploitation within family structures where power imbalances are inherent. Expanding these protections ensures that all family relationships—including step-relations, in-laws, or other defined family members—receive equal legal safeguards against sexual abuse.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Disagreement over which relationships should be included (step-family, adoptive family, in-laws, etc.) and how broadly "family" should be defined
  • Penalty severity: Debate over whether expanded protections should include increased criminal penalties and whether those penalties are proportionate
  • Enforcement challenges: Questions about how expanded protections will be enforced and whether resources exist for investigation and prosecution
  • Constitutional considerations: Potential arguments regarding due process and the constitutional limits of regulating private consensual relationships between adults

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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