Bill > H3787

This bill proposes to add a new section to Chapter 268 of the General Laws, creating a civil cause of action for individuals under 18 who are sexually abused by employees or contractors of schools, institutions of higher learning, or certain state departments (youth services, social services, mental health, developmental disabilities) or private institutions serving clients of these departments. Specifically, if such an employee or contractor engages in sexual abuse of a person under 18 who is served by these entities, the victim will have a legal claim against that employee or contractor under Chapter 260, Section 4C. The bill clarifies that in such civil lawsuits, a person served by these institutions will be legally considered incapable of consenting to sexual relations with the employee or contractor. This provision aims to provide a legal avenue for victims and to address situations where individuals in positions of trust within educational or care settings abuse their power.