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HD 1711

An Act to define inducing a minor into prostitution

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dave Rogers

Massachusetts bill defines and criminalizes the offense of inducing minors into prostitution to strengthen enforcement against child sexual exploitation.

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Bill Summary · HD 1711

Legislative bill overview

HD 1711 seeks to establish or clarify the legal definition of inducing a minor into prostitution in Massachusetts. The bill appears designed to strengthen protections against child sexual exploitation by explicitly defining the criminal conduct involved in recruiting or coercing minors into sex work.

Why is this important

Child sexual exploitation remains a serious crime, and precise legal definitions help ensure consistent prosecution and stronger penalties. Clear statutory language can also help law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts address trafficking and exploitation of minors more effectively.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Questions about whether the definition is narrow enough to target actual exploitation or broad enough to capture all forms of inducement, and how "inducement" is distinguished from other related crimes
  • Age thresholds and exceptions: Debate over the specific age cutoffs that trigger the statute and whether any age-of-consent exceptions or defenses are appropriate
  • Penalties and sentencing: Disagreement over appropriate criminal penalties and whether they align with other related offenses like trafficking or statutory rape
  • Prosecutorial burden: Concerns about whether the definition provides clear evidentiary standards or if prosecutors face practical challenges proving inducement

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

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