HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3721        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1638

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Kate Lipper-Garabedian

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act defining abuse and neglect of a child.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3721        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1638

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1743 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

An Act defining abuse and neglect of a child.

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

Section 1. (a) Section 21 of Chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 official edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “or neglect” in line 5 the following definition:

“Abuse”, both physical and sexual abuse. Any individual, not limited to a caregiver, may commit abuse.

(b) Said section 21, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the words “child advocate” in line 74 the following definition:

“Neglect”, the failure by a caregiver to take those actions necessary to provide a child with minimally adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision, emotional stability and growth, or other essential care, including malnutrition. Neglect may be deliberate or through negligence or inability, but it cannot be due solely to inadequate economic resources or due solely to the existence of a handicapping condition. Actual injury, whether physical or emotional, is not required.

(c) Said section 21, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the words “transitional assistance” in lines 77-78 the following definition:

“Physical abuse”, a non-accidental act that causes or creates a substantial risk of physical injury to a child, including knowingly or recklessly engaging in behavior that was dangerous to the child and resulted in injury. Intent to cause injury to the child is not required.

(d) Said section 21, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the words “mental faculty” in line 94 the following definition:

“Sexual abuse”, (1) A non-accidental sexual act with a child that causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare. In determining whether the act causes such harm or substantial risk of harm, the following factors are to be considered: whether the act was committed by force or threat of bodily injury; whether the child was incapable of consent due to factors such as intoxication, sleep, or intellectual disability; any age disparity between the child and the alleged perpetrator; the child’s cognitive, emotional, psychological, and social maturity; any power imbalance between the child and the alleged perpetrator; and the presence of any coercive factors; (2) Sexual contact between a caregiver and a child for whom the caregiver is responsible; or (3) Sexual contact between a child and any individual, not limited to a caregiver, by verbal or written communication, except that a communication (a) that is reasonably intended to provide information and direction for a child’s education and physical and emotional well-being; or (b) that is consensual, is between peers, and shall not involve coercion or exploitation, does not constitute sexual abuse.