Bill > H4370

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 119 of the General Laws by adding a new section that allows courts to offer an educational diversion program to a child accused of being a juvenile delinquent for transmitting indecent visual depictions, commonly known as "sexting," or posting such images online, provided the district attorney or attorney general does not object. This program, to be developed in consultation with the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, will educate teenagers about the legal and non-legal consequences of such actions, including impacts on relationships, education, employment, and school programs, as well as the long-term effects of online content and the connection to bullying. If a child has already been arraigned, the court may place them on pretrial probation with the condition of completing this diversion program, unless the prosecutor objects. Failure to complete the program or comply with probation will result in the case being brought back to court for further proceedings. The bill also encourages school districts to implement media literacy education to help students critically engage with all forms of media.