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massachusetts [2025/12/06 16:48] – [State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration] josiahkmassachusetts [2026/09/15 18:41] (current) – josiahk
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-//While we strive to be as accurate and complete as possible, our researchers are not attorneys, and state laws are often full of nuances and gaps. Legal challenges in some states have resulted in different registration requirements based on the year of conviction or first registration. **Users must accept all risks **associated with actions taken based on this information. **Please help us improve **by reporting any errors or omissions via our form at **[[https://narsol.org/wiki-response/|https://narsol.org/wiki-response/]]** //+//While we strive to be as accurate and complete as possible, our researchers are not attorneys, and state laws are often full of nuances and gaps. Legal challenges in some states have resulted in different registration requirements based on the year of conviction or first registration. **Users must accept all risks **associated with actions taken based on this information. **Please help us improve **by reporting any errors or omissions via our form at **[[https://narsol.org/wiki-response/|https://narsol.org/wiki-response/]]**// 
 + 
 +Massachusetts’s registry laws are codified at Part I, Title II, Chapter 6, Sections 178C through 178Q.
  
 {{  :ma.png?nolink&175x139}} {{  :ma.png?nolink&175x139}}
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 === Who must register ? === === Who must register ? ===
  
-178C\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C|178C]]
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C]]+
  
-=== What information must registrants provide? ===+=== What information must be provided? ===
  
-178D\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178D|178D(a)-(e)]]
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178D|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178D]]+
  
-=== How frequently must they register? And for how long? ===+=== How frequently must information be verified? And for how long? ===
  
-Annually in writing level 1 178F\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F|178F]], [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F 1~2|178F 1/2]], and [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G|178G]]
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F]]\\ +
-Annually in person level 2/3 178F ½\\ +
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F 1~2|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F%201~2]]\\ +
-20 yr/life 178G\\ +
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G]]+
  
-=== Does the state categorize registrants by levels/tiers? ===+=== Does the state categorize by levels/tiers? ===
  
-Yes. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3; 178k.\\ +Levels, [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178K|178K(2)]]\\ 
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178K|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178K]]\\+\\
 [[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders]]\\ [[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders]]\\
 [[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sex-offender-classification-process#:~:text=The%20Board%20member%20then%20issues,danger%20and%20risk%20to%20reoffend|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sex-offender-classification-process#:~:text=The%20Board%20member%20then%20issues,danger%20and%20risk%20to%20reoffend]] [[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sex-offender-classification-process#:~:text=The%20Board%20member%20then%20issues,danger%20and%20risk%20to%20reoffend|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sex-offender-classification-process#:~:text=The%20Board%20member%20then%20issues,danger%20and%20risk%20to%20reoffend]]
  
-=== Does the state use risk assessment when assigning tiers or levels to registrants? ===+=== Does the state use risk assessment when assigning tiers or levels? ===
  
 Yes. Not a psychological evaluation but it is a risk assessment process conducted by the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB).\\ Yes. Not a psychological evaluation but it is a risk assessment process conducted by the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB).\\
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 [[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders]] [[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders]]
  
-=== Do any registrants remain privately registered? If so, who? ===+=== Does anyone remain privately registered? If so, who? ===
  
 All Level 1 are private. Level 2 is private if classified before July 12, 2013.\\ All Level 1 are private. Level 2 is private if classified before July 12, 2013.\\
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 === Is there a registration fee? === === Is there a registration fee? ===
  
-Yes\\ +Yes, [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178Q|178Q]]
-$75 annually, unless you can demonstrate you can't afford it.\\ +
-178Q\\ +
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178Q|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178Q ]]+
  
-=== Are there special restrictions for registrants even after supervision? ===+=== Are there special restrictions even after supervision ends? ===
  
-GPS certain probationers 265-47\\ +GPS certain probationers [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section47|265-47]]\\ 
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section47|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section47]]\\ +Ice cream truck vending [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section48|265-48]]\\ 
-Ice cream truck vending 265-48\\ +GPS homeless [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F 3~4|178F 3/4]]\\ 
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section48|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section48]]\\ +Yearly fee [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178Q|178Q]]
-GPS homeless 178F ¾\\ +
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F 3~4|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F%203~4]]\\ +
-Yearly fee 178Q\\ +
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178Q|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178Q]]+
  
-=== Is there a process for removal from the registry? If so, who qualifies and what is the process? ===+=== Is there a process for removal from the registry? ===
  
-Yes for 20 yr 178G\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G|178G]]\\ 
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G]]\\ +\\ 
-May request reclassification 178L\\ +May request reclassification [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178L|178L(3)]]
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178L|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178L]]+
  
-=== What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who is visiting the state? ===+=== What are the registration requirements for someone who is visiting the state? ===
  
-No specific statement regarding those visiting the state, but does have a requirement for registering "secondary addresses," defined as "a place of residence for 14 or more aggregate days in a calendar year, or a place routinely resided in for 4 or more consecutive days per month." §178C.\\ +No specific statement regarding those visiting the state, but does have a requirement for registering "secondary addresses," defined as "a place of residence for 14 or more aggregate days in a calendar year, or a place routinely resided in for 4 or more consecutive days per month." [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C|178C]]\\ 
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C]]\\+\\
 [[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/who-has-to-register-as-a-sex-offender|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/who-has-to-register-as-a-sex-offender]] [[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/who-has-to-register-as-a-sex-offender|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/who-has-to-register-as-a-sex-offender]]
  
-=== What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who will be moving to the state to live or to attend school? === +=== What are the registration requirements for someone who will be moving to the state to live or to attend school? ===
- +
-Within 2 days by mail 178E(g)\\ +
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178E|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178E]]+
  
 +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178E|178E(g)]]
  
 ===== State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration ===== ===== State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration =====
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 === What sexual offenses can people be convicted of, and what are the ranges of sentences? === === What sexual offenses can people be convicted of, and what are the ranges of sentences? ===
  
-265-49 – 265-52; ff, click next\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section49|265-49 – 265-52]]; ff, click next\\ 
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section49|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section49]]\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section22|265-22 - 265-24A]]; ff, click next
-265-22 - 265-24A; ff, click next\\ +
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section22|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section22]]+
  
 === Does the state have lifetime supervision? === === Does the state have lifetime supervision? ===
  
-See § 265-45 regarding lifetime supervision.\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section45|265-45]]\\ 
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section45|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section45]]\\ +\\ 
-However, a 2014 court decision, Commonwealth v. Cole, has impacted this law.\\ +However, a 2014 court decision, //[[https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/2014/sjc-11316.html|Commonwealth v. Cole]]// , has impacted this law.
-[[https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/2014/sjc-11316.html|https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/2014/sjc-11316.html]]+
  
 === Does the state have indeterminate sentencing? === === Does the state have indeterminate sentencing? ===
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 === What are the state civil commitment laws? === === What are the state civil commitment laws? ===
  
-See § 123A - 13.\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVII/Chapter123A/Section13|123A - 13]]\\
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVII/Chapter123A/Section13|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVII/Chapter123A/Section13]]\\+
 \\ \\
 However, two court decisions have impacted this law. See [[http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/482/482mass293.html|WAYNE CHAPMAN, petitioner. 482 Mass. 293]] regarding petitioning for release, and [[http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/482/482mass293.html|COMMONWEALTH vs. JOSEPH BLAKE.454 Mass. 267]] regarding how quickly a judge must rule on commitment cases. However, two court decisions have impacted this law. See [[http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/482/482mass293.html|WAYNE CHAPMAN, petitioner. 482 Mass. 293]] regarding petitioning for release, and [[http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/482/482mass293.html|COMMONWEALTH vs. JOSEPH BLAKE.454 Mass. 267]] regarding how quickly a judge must rule on commitment cases.
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 === What is the age of consent? === === What is the age of consent? ===
  
-Age 16 265-22A\\ +Age 16, [[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section22A|265-22A]]
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section22A|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section22A]]+
  
 === Are there “Romeo and Juliet” laws or other laws specific to young people? === === Are there “Romeo and Juliet” laws or other laws specific to young people? ===
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 No.\\ No.\\
 [[https://www.ageofconsent.net/states/massachusetts|https://www.ageofconsent.net/states/massachusetts]] [[https://www.ageofconsent.net/states/massachusetts|https://www.ageofconsent.net/states/massachusetts]]
- 
  
 ===== Info for State Advocates ===== ===== Info for State Advocates =====
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 [[https://www.mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board|https://www.mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board]] [[https://www.mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board|https://www.mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board]]
  
-=== How does the state’s legislative process work? ===+=== How is the state’s legislature organized? ===
  
 The Legislative Process in Massachusetts\\ The Legislative Process in Massachusetts\\
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 [[https://legiscan.com/MA/bill/|https://legiscan.com/MA/bill/]] [[https://legiscan.com/MA/bill/|https://legiscan.com/MA/bill/]]
  
-=== Most important legislative committees for our issues are: ===+=== What are the important legislative committees for our issues? ===
  
-Joint Committee on the Judiciary\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J19|Joint Committee on the Judiciary]]
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J19|https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J19]]+
  
-Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J22|Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security]]
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J22|https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J22]]+
  
 === Contact info for state legislators can be found at: === === Contact info for state legislators can be found at: ===
  
-Senate\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/Senate|Senate]]\\ 
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/Senate|https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/Senate]]\\ +\\ 
-House\\ +[[https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/House|House]]
-[[https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/House|https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/House]] +
  
 ===== Other Useful State Information ===== ===== Other Useful State Information =====
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 === NARSOL state affiliate website or blog: === === NARSOL state affiliate website or blog: ===
  
-[[https://www.narsol.org/contact-us/|No affiliate at present. If you would like to start an affiliate or your organization would like to be an affiliate, contact NARSOL for details\\ +[[https://www.narsol.org/contact-us/|No affiliate at present. If you would like to start an affiliate or your organization would like to be an affiliate, contact NARSOL for details\\ 888-997-7765.\\ Email NARSOL]]
-888-997-7765.\\ +
-Email NARSOL]]+
  
 === Other helpful state advocacy groups: === === Other helpful state advocacy groups: ===
  
-Criminal Justice Policy Coalition:\\ +[[https://actionnetwork.org/groups/criminal-justice-policy-coalition|Criminal Justice Policy Coalition]]\\ 
-[[https://actionnetwork.org/groups/criminal-justice-policy-coalition|https://actionnetwork.org/groups/criminal-justice-policy-coalition]]\\ +[[https://baystatereentrynetwork.org/index.php/author/psjzgld5ww/|Boston Release Network]]\\ 
-Boston Release Network:\\ +[[http://www.plsma.org/|Prison Legal Services]]
-[[https://baystatereentrynetwork.org/index.php/author/psjzgld5ww/|https://baystatereentrynetwork.org/index.php/author/psjzgld5ww/]]\\ +
-Prison Legal Services:\\ +
-[[http://www.plsma.org/|http://www.plsma.org/]]+
  
 === Other registrant-friendly state support groups: === === Other registrant-friendly state support groups: ===
  
-Committee for Public Counsel Services:\\ +[[https://www.publiccounsel.net/|Committee for Public Counsel Services]]\\ 
-[[https://www.publiccounsel.net/|https://www.publiccounsel.net/]]\\ +[[https://instituteforsexualwellness.org/|Institute for Sexual Wellness]]\\ 
-Institute for Sexual Wellness:\\ +[[http://nechv.org/|New England Center and Home for Veterans]]\\ 
-[[https://instituteforsexualwellness.org/|https://instituteforsexualwellness.org/]]\\ +[[http://www.nefacorp.com/|New England Forensic Associates]]\\ 
-New England Center and Home for Veterans:\\ +[[https://www.cominghomedirectory.org/|Coming Home Directory]]
-[[http://nechv.org/|http://nechv.org/]]>\\ +
-New England Forensic Associates:\\ +
-[[http://www.nefacorp.com/|http://www.nefacorp.com/]]>\\ +
-Coming Home Directory:\\ +
-[[https://www.cominghomedirectory.org/|https://www.cominghomedirectory.org/]]+
  
 === Other helpful information === === Other helpful information ===
massachusetts.1765039701.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/12/06 16:48 by josiahk