Bill > H1678

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 265 of the General Laws by adding a new section that establishes a mandatory life sentence for individuals convicted three or more times for certain sexual offenses, including those listed in sections 13B, 13B½, 13H, 13F, 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 23, 23A, 23B, 24, 24B, or 26C of Chapter 265, and sections 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 28, 29A, 29B, 29C, 35, or 35A of Chapter 272, as well as similar offenses from other jurisdictions. This life sentence cannot be reduced or suspended, and individuals convicted under this new section are ineligible for probation, parole, work release, furlough, or good conduct sentence deductions. The bill also specifies that prosecutions under this section cannot be continued without a finding, sealed, or placed on file, and allows for the introduction of certified copies of court records or probation department data as prima facie evidence of prior convictions, without requiring additional corroborating evidence or live witness testimony after guilt on the primary offense has been established.