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HD 1310

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 definitions and protections across broader family relationships to close legal enforcement gaps and strengthen abuse safeguards.

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Bill Summary · HD 1310

Legislative bill overview

HD 1310 expands Massachusetts' incest laws to cover a broader range of family relationships and potentially increases penalties for incest offenses. The bill aims to close legal gaps in the state's current incest statutes by explicitly defining which familial relationships are protected under the law.

Why is this important

Incest laws protect vulnerable family members from sexual abuse and exploitation within household or kinship structures. Expanding these protections ensures that individuals in relationships not explicitly covered by existing law receive equivalent legal safeguards, addressing potential enforcement ambiguities that could allow perpetrators to exploit statutory loopholes.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: Disagreement over which relationships should be included (distant relatives, in-laws, step-relations) and whether the expansion is necessary or creates unintended consequences
  • Penalty levels: Debate about whether increased penalties are proportionate or represent overreach compared to other sexual offense charges
  • Privacy concerns: Questions about state authority to regulate consensual adult relationships versus protecting minors from abuse
  • Enforcement practicality: Implementation questions regarding how broader definitions affect prosecution, evidence standards, and burden of proof

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

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