Bill > H1443

This bill proposes to extend the statute of limitations, which is the legal time limit for prosecuting a crime, for certain offenses, including incest, when the victim is a minor. Specifically, for crimes listed in Chapter 265 and Chapter 272 of the law, if the victim is under 16 years old when the crime occurs, the clock for prosecution will not start until the victim turns 16, or until the crime is reported to law enforcement, whichever happens first. A similar extension applies to victims of section 17 of chapter 272, where the victim must reach 18 years old. This change aims to provide more time for victims, especially young ones, to come forward and report these serious offenses.