Session Laws

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to immediately increase the penalties for engaging in illegal sexual conduct, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 54, as appearing in the 1984 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 54. Whoever is found in a public way or other public place, committing any offence or disorder set forth in sections fifty-three and fifty-three A, may be apprehended by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer or by any other person by the order of a magistrate or any of said officers, without a warrant and be kept in custody for not more than twenty-four hours, Sundays and legal holidays excepted, until he can be taken before a court or trial justice having jurisdiction of such offence.