In a decisive move, the Massachusetts House has passed a bill that would outlaw revenge porn, aligning the state with an a majority of the nation. The legislation, which now heads to the Senate, also bolsters protections for abuse survivors by expanding the definition of abuse and extending the statute of limitations for certain domestic violence offenses, WHDH reported.
The House voted 151-0 to adopt the new measure on Wednesday, shining a spotlight on the state's previous lack of enforceable laws against the nonconsensual sharing of explicit images. Massachusetts is one of only two states without a clear ban on revenge porn, a gap in the legal protections that has been increasingly scrutinized in the digital age. The bill not only criminalizes the act of disseminating explicit material without consent, but it also offers up to two and a half years in prison and/or fines up to $10,000 for violators, as per WHDH.
In addition to tackling revenge porn, the bill sets forth new grounds for abuse, including "coercive control." This umbrella term includes intimidating, harassing, or controlling behaviors that restrict a victim's safety or autonomy, such as threats of revealing explicit images. Rep. Richard Haggerty, D-Middlesex, a lead sponsor of the legislation, highlighted this inclusion saying, "By defining coercive control as abuse and closing revenge porn consent loopholes, this law protects against the severe emotional harm too often inflicted through non-physical tactics, sending a clear message that revenge porn, coercive control, and criminal harassment have no place in Massachusetts," stated in MassLive.
The legislation takes an a further step by extending the statute of limitations from six to 15 years for assault and battery on a family or household member or someone with an active protective order, similar to that for rape and related offenses. Another key feature of the House-approved bill is the introduction of a new legal framework for teen sexting, offering an educational diversion away from the criminal system for minors who share explicit images of themselves or their peers. According to MassLive, the program aims to educate teens on the legal and personal consequences of sexting.
Statewide group Jane Doe Inc., which addresses sexual assault and domestic violence, praised the bill for providing "essential protections" for survivors. The advocacy group expressed hope that the Senate will promptly take up the lifesaving legislation, signaling an overdue shift towards justice for survivors and a commitment to preventing future violence. Concern now turns to whether the Senate will act swiftly on this legislation, a critical consideration for survivors and advocates following the previous bill's failure to pass in the 2022 session.
