A bill that would expand the scope of certain sexual offenses under Massachusetts law perpetrated by a health care provider or a member of the clergy is making…
A bill that would expand the scope of certain sexual offenses under Massachusetts law perpetrated by a health care provider or a member of the clergy is making its way through Beacon Hill.
The bill also would add rape of a patient or client by a health care provider, indecent assault and battery on vulnerable persons in law enforcement custody, and indecent assault and battery on a patient or client by a health care provider to definitions related to sexual offenders.
Anyone who presents themselves as a health care provider or clergy member and who knowingly induces a patient or client to engage in sexual intercourse during the course of diagnosis, counseling, or treatment shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 20 years, under the proposed legislation.
The bill also would establish that a patient or client would be deemed incapable of consenting to contact of a sexual nature when that consent was procured by a false claim that the act was for a legitimate medical or treatment purpose. The bill is now before the Senate Ways and Means Committee and is expected to be voted on by the Senate before making it to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Health officials alert about potential exposure to measles in New Hampshire and MassachusettsAccording to DPH, the person traveled through Boston to Amsterdam using public transportation on Saturday, June 22 while infectious.
Read more »
Massachusetts House approves sweeping housing billThe House bill includes $6.5 billion in bond authorizations, tax credits, and policy initiatives designed to increase housing production, streamline affordable…
Read more »
Massachusetts reports largest single-year decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in two decadesMassachusetts experienced a 10% drop in opioid-related overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023, the largest single-year decline over the past two decades and a trend that is expected to continue based on early data from 2024, according to a report released June 12.
Read more »
Massachusetts high court rules voters can decide question to raise wages for tipped workersMassachusetts' highest court has tossed out a challenge to a proposed ballot question that would raise the minimum wage businesses must pay to workers who rely…
Read more »
Massachusetts: Twenty-three sets of twins graduate from same year group at schoolTypically twins account for around 3% of live births in the US - no wonder headteacher Tamatha Bibbo described the event as 'quite unusual'.
Read more »
Man pleads not guilty in pipe bomb attack on Massachusetts group Satanic TempleAn Oklahoma man accused of throwing a pipe bomb at the Massachusetts headquarters of a group called The Satanic Temple pleaded not guilty Thursday at his…
Read more »