Table of Contents
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/
Massachusetts Laws Regarding Registration
Who must register ?
What information must registrants provide?
How frequently must they register? And for how long?
Annually in writing level 1 178F
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/Section178F1~2
20 yr/life 178G
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G
Does the state categorize registrants by levels/tiers?
Yes. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3; 178k.
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/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?
Yes. Not a psychological evaluation but it is a risk assessment process conducted by the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB).
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sex-offender-classification-process
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders
Do any registrants remain privately registered? If so, who?
All Level 1 are private. Level 2 is private if classified before July 12, 2013.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/levels-of-sex-offenders
Is there a registration fee?
Yes
$75 annually, unless you can demonstrate you can't afford it.
178Q
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178Q
Are there special restrictions for registrants even after supervision?
GPS certain probationers 265-47
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section47
Ice cream truck vending 265-48
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section48
GPS homeless 178F ¾
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F3~4
Yearly fee 178Q
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?
Yes for 20 yr 178G
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G
May request reclassification 178L
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?
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.
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C
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?
Within 2 days by mail 178E(g)
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178E
State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration
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
265-22 - 265-24A; ff, click next
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section22
Does the state have lifetime supervision?
See § 265-45 regarding lifetime supervision.
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section45
However, a 2014 court decision, Commonwealth v. Cole, has impacted this law.
https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/2014/sjc-11316.html
Does the state have indeterminate sentencing?
No.
What are the state civil commitment laws?
See § 123A - 13.
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVII/Chapter123A/Section13
However, two court decisions have impacted this law. See WAYNE CHAPMAN, petitioner. 482 Mass. 293 regarding petitioning for release, and COMMONWEALTH vs. JOSEPH BLAKE.454 Mass. 267 regarding how quickly a judge must rule on commitment cases.
What is the age of consent?
Are there “Romeo and Juliet” laws or other laws specific to young people?
Info for State Advocates
Are felons allowed to vote? If so, when is this right restored?
Yes; after release from incarceration
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm
What does the state say about persons who are required to register?
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-sex-offenders
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board
How does the state’s legislative process work?
The Legislative Process in Massachusetts
https://www.masslegalservices.org/system/files/library/Legislative_Process2019.pdf
https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/legislative-process-massachusetts-0
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
https://www.massaudubon.org/content/download/6892/127302/file/MALegisProcess.pdf
How can I locate legislation regarding sexual offense issues?
Search by bill summary or by key word.
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/Search
Best keywords are:
sex offender, sexual
How to sign up for notifications of bill movement:
MyLegislature
https://malegislature.gov/MyLegislature/About
Massachusetts Recently Introduced Bills
https://legiscan.com/MA/bill/
Most important legislative committees for our issues are:
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J19
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J22
Contact info for state legislators can be found at:
Senate
https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/Senate
House
https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/House
Other Useful State Information
Contact information for state registry office
NARSOL state affiliate website or blog:
One coming soon!
Other helpful state advocacy groups:
SOPRI-MA:
http://www.sopri-ma.org
Criminal Justice Policy Coalition:
http://www.cjpc.org
Boston Release Network:
http://www.bostonreleasenetwork.org
Prison Legal Services:
http://www.plsma.org/
Other registrant-friendly state support groups:
Committee for Public Counsel Services:
https://www.publiccounsel.net/
Institute for Sexual Wellness:
https://instituteforsexualwellness.org/
New England Center and Home for Veterans:
http://nechv.org/>
New England Forensic Associates:
http://www.nefacorp.com/>
Coming Home Directory:
https://www.cominghomedirectory.org/