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SD 1367

An Act relative to sexual assaults by adults in positions of authority or trust

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 4 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill establishing new criminal penalties for sexual assault by authority figures, targeting educators, clergy, and other trusted adults in power over victims.

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Bill Summary · SD 1367

Legislative bill overview

SD 1367 creates new criminal statutes and enhanced penalties for sexual assaults committed by adults in positions of authority or trust over victims. The bill expands the definition of sexual abuse to explicitly include abusive conduct by authority figures and establishes stricter sentencing guidelines for such offenses.

Why is this important

Positions of authority—teachers, coaches, clergy, therapists, and other trusted roles—create inherent power imbalances that can facilitate sexual abuse and deter reporting. This bill aims to address a documented gap in law by specifically criminalizing exploitative conduct in these relationships and signaling that such violations warrant enhanced consequences.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Determining precisely which roles constitute "positions of authority or trust" and at what age/circumstances these protections apply could create ambiguity in prosecution and defense
  • Sentencing disparities: Enhanced penalties for authority-figure cases may create questions about fairness compared to similar assaults in non-authority contexts, and whether this adequately accounts for victim circumstances
  • Retroactivity concerns: Whether the law applies to past conduct or only prospectively, affecting existing cases and potential statute of limitations implications

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

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