Bill > H1351

This bill proposes to amend the statute of limitations, which is the legal time limit for bringing charges, for certain crimes in Massachusetts. Specifically, it would allow indictments or complaints for offenses related to rape and other sexual offenses, including conspiracy or accessory charges, to be filed at any time after the crime is committed. However, for charges filed more than 27 years after the offense, there must be independent evidence, not solely based on mental health professionals' opinions, to corroborate the victim's account. The bill also clarifies the statute of limitations for other serious crimes, setting a 10-year limit for certain assault and battery offenses and a 6-year limit for most other crimes, while excluding periods when a defendant is not a resident of the Commonwealth.