Bill > S1247

This bill creates new criminal offenses specifically targeting sexual assault by rideshare operators, defining key terms such as "rideshare operator" (a person driving through a transportation network company) and "ride" (the period from passenger entry to safe departure). The legislation establishes two new criminal offenses: indecent assault and battery on a passenger by a rideshare operator, punishable by up to 5 years in state prison or 2.5 years in a house of correction, and rape of a passenger by a rideshare operator, punishable by up to 20 years in state prison. Critically, the bill stipulates that in prosecutions under these new sections, a passenger is legally considered incapable of consenting to sexual contact when that consent was obtained during a ride. The bill also amends several existing legal sections to incorporate these new offenses into Massachusetts criminal statutes, ensuring these specific types of sexual assault are recognized and can be prosecuted. By creating these targeted provisions, the legislation aims to protect passengers from sexual exploitation by rideshare operators and provide clear legal mechanisms for addressing such misconduct.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1247