Bill > H1777

This bill proposes to expand legal protections against incest by modifying Section 17 of Chapter 272 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Specifically, the bill seeks to add the terms "affinity or adoption" to the existing language regarding consanguinity (blood relationships). By adding these terms, the bill broadens the scope of incest laws to include not just blood relatives, but also relatives by marriage (affinity) and those related through legal adoption. This modification suggests an intent to provide more comprehensive legal safeguards against sexual relationships between family members, extending the definition beyond genetic relationships to include other familial connections that could involve similar power dynamics or potential exploitation. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, indicating an urgent desire to implement these expanded protections.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1777