Advocate for H.4538 & S.1163
Currently, according to Massachusetts State Law, a child who is 16 or older (the state’s legal age of consent) is able to consent to sexual acts with an adult in a position of trust such as a teacher, coach, faith leader, camp counselor or mentor. Knowing that sexual abuse is about power and control, we need your help to advocate for two bills aiming to protect children from this type of harm.
H.4538 (An Act relative to preventing educator sexual misconduct and abuse of children and youth) and S.1163 (An Act relative to sexual assaults by adults in positions of authority or trust) have both been reported favorably to Ways and Means, and your elected officials need to know their constituents want these bills passed, this loophole closed, and individuals committing these crimes accountable.
We are grateful to The Boston Globe’s Yvonne Abraham and WCVB’s Karen Anderson for sharing the importance of closing this loophole with the public.
Please reach out to your Representative today and ask that they let House Leadership know they will vote “YES” on Bill H4538 if brought to the floor for a vote. You can find contact information for your legislator here and template language for your message below.
Suggested Email Message to Representatives:
SUBJECT LINE: H4538 An Act relative to preventing educator sexual misconduct and abuse of children and youth
Hello Representative [Last Name],
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to funding for Children's Advocacy Centers throughout the Commonwealth. It is appreciated more than you know.
Today, I’m writing to request your support of H. 4538 An Act relative to preventing educator sexual misconduct and abuse of children and youth. Although 16 is the age of consent in Massachusetts, educators and adults in positions of trust often leverage their authority over children in their care to groom them well before their 16th birthday. Sexual abuse is an act of power over another person, and children, whether of the legal age of consent or not, are unable to consent to sexual acts with adults in positions of trust. This bill will close that loophole and allow prosecutors to hold these perpetrators accountable when their victims come forward.
Due to some empowering stories shared in the media recently (bit.ly/GlobeArticleYouthSafety and bit.ly/WCVBPositionsOfTrust), we hope this is an issue the legislature will tackle by the end of this session on July 31, 2026.
As a supporter of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, I am well-aware of the impact sexual abuse can have on the life of a child. This critical bill will close a loophole in our laws that currently allow for the sexual abuse of youth by adults they know and trust.
Massachusetts is the only state in New England that still has this loophole. Governor Healey has stated that she will sign the bill if it reaches her desk. The bill is currently before Ways & Means. Before the end of the session, please do what is within your power to protect the children of the Commonwealth and let Speaker Mariano and Chairman Michlewitz know that you will vote “YES” should this critical bill make it to the floor.
Thank you,
[Your name and city/town of residence]
Suggested Email Message to Senators:
SUBJECT LINE: S.1163 An Act relative to sexual assaults by adults in positions of authority or trust)
Hello Senator [Last Name],
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to funding for Children's Advocacy Centers throughout the Commonwealth. It is appreciated more than you know.
Today, I’m writing to request your support of S.1163 An Act relative to sexual assaults by adults in positions of authority or trust. Although 16 is the age of consent in Massachusetts, adults in positions of trust often leverage their authority over children in their care to groom them well before their 16th birthday. Sexual abuse is an act of power over another person, and children, whether of the legal age of consent or not, are unable to consent to sexual acts with adults in positions of trust. This bill will close that loophole and allow prosecutors to hold these perpetrators accountable when their victims come forward.
Due to some empowering stories shared in the media recently (bit.ly/GlobeArticleYouthSafety and bit.ly/WCVBPositionsOfTrust), we hope this is an issue the legislature will tackle by the end of this session on July 31, 2026.
As a supporter of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, I am well-aware of the impact sexual abuse can have on the life of a child. This critical bill will close a loophole in our laws that currently allow for the sexual abuse of youth by adults they know and trust.
Massachusetts is the only state in New England that still has this loophole. Governor Healey has stated that she will sign the bill if it reaches her desk. The bill is currently before Ways & Means. Before the end of the session, please do what is within your power to protect the children of the Commonwealth and let Senate President Spilka and Chairman Rodrigues know that you will vote “YES” should this critical bill make it to the floor.
Thank you,
[Your name and city/town of residence]