As the 2026 session closes, several Massachusetts legislation victories for children and survivors: Age of consent loophole CLOSED! Bills to end the civil Statue of Limitations on child sexual abuse and Criminalize AI-generated child sexual abuse material adopted as amendments to larger bills, now in conference committees

Governor Maura Healey signs a bill to close the age of consent loophole, a Massachusetts legislation victory for children and survivors
Enough Abuse team standing at the State House celebrating the Massachusetts legislation victories for children and survivors

Pictured above: Left: Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signs the bill closing the age of consent loophole, surrounded by survivors and legislators. Right: The ENOUGH ABUSE team celebrates the ceremonial bill signing marking the closing of the age of consent loophole; Left to right: Kathryn Robb, Esq., National Director of the Children’s Justice Campaign; Jetta Bernier, Executive Director, Senator Joan Lovely, and Jonathan Ellman, Board President.

After over 10 years of advocacy by Enough Abuse, survivors of sexual abuse by school employees, and legislators who are also survivors, including Senator Joan Lovely and Representative John Lawn, the age of consent loophole that protected abusers has been CLOSED. This bill, introduced as an amendment to the State Budget, makes it a crime in Massachusetts for persons in positions of authority over minors, e.g. educators, counselors, etc., to have sex with them. Abusers may no longer use the age of consent of 16 as a defense for sexually abusing 16 or 17-year-olds. Criminal penalties have now been set. Learn more in the amendment text here. This new Massachusetts legislation is one of several victories for children and survivors!

Ending The Civil SOL and Opening a Two-Year Revival Window

Representative Lawn continues to leave his mark on health care legislation as co-chair of the House’s Health Care Financing Committee. And in keeping with his ongoing commitment to protecting the children of Massachusetts and honoring basic notions of justice for survivors, Lawn added Amendment #110 “An Act enhancing remedies for survivors of childhood sexual abuse” to Senate Bill 3141, the House’s primary care spending bill. The House adopted this amendment without discussion or objection, with Speaker Ron Mariano presiding at the rostrum for the vote. The full bill went on to pass the House unanimously, 158-0.

Bravo to Speaker Mariano, Rep. Lawn, Rep. Day and Rep. Michlewitz for standing with the children of Massachusetts!

This amendment, if included without changes by the conference committee in the final bill and approved by the House and Senate, would prospectively let survivors sue at any time, open a 2-year window for expired claims, and lift the $20,000 cap on civil damages for charitable institutions. This charitable immunity cap currently blocks survivors abused by anyone in a nonprofit from suing the institution and getting more than $20,000 in damages.

Learn more in our blog posts about what the Statute of Limitations on child sexual abuse means, or the charitable immunity cap on damages.

Criminalizing AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
map showing states with AI-generated CSAM laws

Massachusetts is one of only 4 states that have yet to criminalize the creation, production and dissemination of AI-generated or technologically modified child sexual abuse material, as seen in the map to the right. This may soon change! Senator Paul Mark introduced Amendment #94 “Protecting Against CSAM in the Massachusetts’ Innovation Economy” to S.3178 (the Senate Economic Development Bill) to do so. This amendment was adopted by the Senate on Thursday, July 25th, and just needs to be approved by the conference committee to be included in the final bill to be approved by the House and Senate, and signed by Governor Healey to become law!

CSA Prevention Education and Screening Bill Still Pending

H.4538 would require prevention education about CSA in schools for students and staff, require screening new school hires for histories of misconduct and abuse, and prohibit “pass the trash” practices that allow abusers to resign in exchange for positive job references for employment in another school. This bill did not make it out of the House Ways and Means Committee before the July 31st end of the formal legislative session, however, there is still a chance it could pass in the informal sessions.

Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislators in support, submitted written testimony, or testified in favor of these crucial prevention bills!

About ENOUGH ABUSE®

ENOUGH ABUSE®, formerly Massachusetts Citizens for Children, dba MassKids, is the nation’s oldest citizen-based child advocacy organization, with a 65-year history of improving the lives of vulnerable children. We prevent the sexual abuse of children in their homes, communities and online through prevention trainings, education and advocacy.