Bill > S885

This bill proposes changes to the time limits for filing indictments or complaints, which are formal accusations of a crime. Specifically, it would allow indictments or complaints for murder to be filed at any time after the victim's death. For certain serious offenses related to sexual assault and abuse, as well as conspiracy or accessory charges for these crimes, the bill would allow indictments or complaints to be filed at any time after the offense, but if filed more than 27 years later, they must be supported by independent evidence that corroborates the victim's claims, and this evidence cannot solely be the opinions of mental health professionals. For other serious offenses like assault and battery, the time limit for filing would be 15 years, while for offenses like kidnapping and unlawful restraint, it would be 10 years, and for all other crimes, the limit would be 6 years. The bill also clarifies that any time a defendant is not usually and publicly residing in the Commonwealth will not count towards these time limits.