H1732 — An Act amending the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child

Summary

An Act amending the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child

Bill Text

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The bill amends existing law to establish a three-year limitation period for civil rights actions and removes the statute of limitations for certain sexual offenses against minors.

• Chapter 260, Section 5B

  section 5B, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition → §5B. Civil rights actions Actions arising on account of violations of any law intended for the protection of civil rights, including but not limited to actions alleging employment, housing and other discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry or handicap shall be commenced only within three years next after the cause of action accrues, except that an action commenced under 42 U.S.C. §1681-1686, Title IX, for sexual assault, or sexual abuse, as that term is defined in G.L. c. 260, section 4C, shall be governed by the provisions of G.L. c. 260, section 4C½.

  Establishes a three-year statute of limitations for civil rights actions and includes specific provisions for actions under certain federal laws.

• Chapter 277, Section 63

  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an indictment or complaint alleging an offense of indecent assault and battery, or an offense of rape, may be found and filed at any time after the commission of such offense, provided that the victim was under the age of 18 when the offense was committed.

  Allows for the prosecution of indecent assault and battery or rape offenses at any time if the victim was a minor at the time of the offense.

Sponsors

• Kenneth I. Gordon · Primary

Subjects