State Information Wiki

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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/]]** //

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===== Massachusetts Laws Regarding Registration =====

=== Who must register ? ===

178C\\
[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178C]]

=== What information must registrants provide? ===

178D\\
[[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? ===

Annually in writing level 1 178F\\
[[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/Section178F1~2|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F1~2]]\\
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? ===

Yes. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3; 178k.\\
[[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/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? ===

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/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board]]\\
[[https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sex-offender-classification-process|https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sex-offender-classification-process]]\\
[[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? ===

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|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
|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|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section47]]\\
Ice cream truck vending 265-48\\
[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section48|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section48]]\\
GPS homeless 178F ¾\\
[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F3~4|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178F3~4]]\\
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? ===

Yes for 20 yr 178G\\
[[https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G|https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6/Section178G]]\\
May request reclassification 178L\\
[[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? ===

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://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]]

=== 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|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|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|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|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|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|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.

=== What is the age of consent? ===

Age 16 265-22A\\
[[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? ===

No.\\
[[https://www.ageofconsent.net/states/massachusetts|https://www.ageofconsent.net/states/massachusetts]]

===== 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|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/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-sex-offenders]]\\
[[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? ===

The Legislative Process in Massachusetts\\
[[https://www.masslegalservices.org/system/files/library/Legislative_Process2019.pdf|https://www.masslegalservices.org/system/files/library/Legislative_Process2019.pdf]]\\
[[https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/legislative-process-massachusetts-0|https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/legislative-process-massachusetts-0]]\\
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS\\
[[https://www.massaudubon.org/content/download/6892/127302/file/MALegisProcess.pdf|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|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|https://malegislature.gov/MyLegislature/About]]

Massachusetts Recently Introduced Bills\\
[[https://legiscan.com/MA/bill/|https://legiscan.com/MA/bill/]]

=== Most important legislative committees for our issues are: ===

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|https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J22]]

=== Contact info for state legislators can be found at: ===

Senate\\
[[https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/Senate|https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/Senate]]\\
House\\
[[https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/House|https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Members/House]]

===== Other Useful State Information =====

=== Contact information for state registry office ===

[[https://www.mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board|https://www.mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board ]]

=== NARSOL state affiliate website or blog: ===

One coming soon!

=== Other helpful state advocacy groups: ===

SOPRI-MA:\\
[[http://www.sopri-ma.org|http://www.sopri-ma.org]]\\
Criminal Justice Policy Coalition:\\
[[http://www.cjpc.org|http://www.cjpc.org]]\\
Boston Release Network:\\
[[http://www.bostonreleasenetwork.org|http://www.bostonreleasenetwork.org]]\\
Prison Legal Services:\\
[[http://www.plsma.org/|http://www.plsma.org/]]

=== Other registrant-friendly state support groups: ===

Committee for Public Counsel Services:\\
[[https://www.publiccounsel.net/|https://www.publiccounsel.net/]]\\
Institute for Sexual Wellness:\\
[[https://instituteforsexualwellness.org/|https://instituteforsexualwellness.org/]]\\
New England Center and Home for Veterans:\\
[[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 ===

[[http://www.sexoffenderresource.com/massachusetts/|http://www.sexoffenderresource.com/massachusetts/]]