By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey held a ceremonial signing for two new laws in the state budget that she already signed on July 9. The laws strengthen protections for young people, support survivors of sexual assault and hold offenders accountable. These include the elimination the statute of limitations for rape cases when new DNA evidence identifies a suspect, as well as a provision to close a loophole that allowed adults in positions of authority to exploit 16- and 17-year-olds.

“As a former prosecutor and attorney general, I spent years working alongside survivors of sexual violence,” said Healey. “I saw firsthand the trauma they carry, and the extraordinary courage it takes to come forward. I also saw the devastation caused when our laws don’t do enough to protect survivors and hold offenders accountable. These new laws close dangerous loopholes, strengthen protections for children and make sure survivors have a better opportunity to seek justice. While no law can change what survivors have endured, we can take action to make our laws fairer, our communities safer and help survivors get the justice they deserve.”

“This is what it looks like when we listen to survivors and act,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Closing these loopholes means predators can no longer hide behind our laws instead of facing them. Because of this budget, we now have the power to hold accountable anyone who has abused a position of trust to harm kids, and to get survivors the justice they deserve.”

“For too long, our laws have allowed adults in positions of authority and trust to exploit the very children they are supposed to protect and then hide behind a claim of consent,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “That ends now. No figure of authority should ever be able to groom or assault a young person and walk away without accountability. Closing this loophole has been one of the most personal and important fights of my career, and I am proud that we got it done for the children and families of the commonwealth.”