Bill > H1348

This bill, by adding Section 21C to Chapter 268 of the General Laws, establishes a civil cause of action for individuals under 19 years old who are sexually abused by employees or contractors of schools, institutions of higher learning, or specific state departments (youth services, social services, mental health, developmental disabilities) or private institutions serving clients of these departments. Importantly, for the purposes of these civil actions, any person under 19 who is served by such an institution is legally considered incapable of consenting to sexual relations with an employee or contractor, regardless of where the abuse occurs. This provision aims to provide a legal avenue for victims and clarifies the age of consent in these specific civil cases, which are governed by Chapter 260, Section 4C.