Bill > S907

This bill establishes a new section in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 265, to address the severe crime of rape of a child by force. Specifically, it defines this offense as having sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with a child under 14 years old, compelling them to submit through force or threat of bodily injury. The bill mandates a minimum sentence of 30 years in state prison for such offenses, with no possibility of reduction, suspension, probation, parole, work release, furlough, or good conduct deductions until 30 years are served. Furthermore, it specifies that prosecutions under this section cannot be continued without a finding, sealed, or placed on file, meaning they must proceed to a verdict. The bill also increases the penalty for committing this offense while armed with a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, or assault weapon, requiring a minimum sentence of 45 years, and imposes a life sentence for individuals over 18 who commit a second or subsequent offense under this section, with similar restrictions on sentence reduction and early release.