Press Release  Governor Healey Signs New Protections for Sexual Assault Survivors into Law

Boston — Governor Maura Healey today held a ceremonial signing for two new laws in the FY27 Budget that strengthen protections for young people, support survivors of sexual assault and hold offenders accountable. These include a proposal from Governor Healey to eliminate the statute of limitations for rape cases when new DNA evidence identifies a suspect, as well as a provision to close a loophole that allowed adults in positions of authority to exploit 16- and 17-year-olds. 

“As a former prosecutor and Attorney General, I spent years working alongside survivors of sexual violence. I saw firsthand the trauma they carry, and the extraordinary courage it takes to come forward. I also saw the devastation caused when our laws don’t do enough to protect survivors and hold offenders accountable,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These new laws close dangerous loopholes, strengthen protections for children, and make sure survivors have a better opportunity to seek justice. While no law can change what survivors have endured, we can take action to make our laws fairer, our communities safer and help survivors get the justice they deserve.” 

“Securing justice in sexual assault cases should not be hindered by laws with loopholes that protect offenders,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are grateful to the survivors who shared their stories and to the advocates who continued to fight for these necessary changes that are long overdue. Their courage has helped make Massachusetts safer for future generations.” 

“These two provisions are about protecting vulnerable residents, and about ensuring accountability and justice — two of government’s most fundamental responsibilities,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank the advocates, survivors, and public officials who worked tirelessly to get these reforms to the Governor’s desk for her signature.” 

"This is what it looks like when we listen to survivors and act. Closing these loopholes means predators can no longer hide behind our laws instead of facing them," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Because of this budget, we now have the power to hold accountable anyone who has abused a position of trust to harm kids, and to get survivors the justice they deserve. I applaud the Governor for signing these provisions into law, and I'm grateful to Senator Lovely for her unwavering leadership in getting this done."  

The first law, which was proposed by Governor Healey in January, allows prosecutors to bring rape charges when DNA evidence identifies a suspect after the standard 15-year statute of limitations has expired. The law allows criminal cases to move forward when advances in forensic science identify an offender years or even decades after an assault. 

The second law closes a loophole that allowed adults in positions of authority, such as teachers, coaches, police officers, social works, and other mandated reporters, to claim that a 16- or 17-year-old consented to sexual conduct. The new law makes it clear that minors under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to any type of sexual conduct with someone who has exercised authority over them. The law also makes clear that an offender cannot avoid prosecution simply because that position of authority has ended. 

Since taking office, Governor Healey has prioritized strengthening protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. She criminalized sexual assault by fraud of a medical professional, expanded the definition of abuse to include the term “coercive control”, banned revenge porn and expanded protections against abuse and exploitation. Her administration has also invested in domestic assault and sexual assault services and continues to support organizations that help survivors.  

Statements by Survivors: 

Melissa Fares, Survivor:  

“I’m really proud to be here today. Proud of everyone who fought for this. Proud that we kept going, even and especially when it was hard. Proud that we didn’t shut up. But mostly, I’m here today because I want 16-year-old me to know that this is a big deal. I want her to know that none of this was for nothing. I was failed. Failed by Massachusetts. Failed by the adults who were supposed to protect me. For a long time, the law failed kids like me, too. Today, it doesn’t. 

This law doesn’t erase what happened. It doesn’t give survivors back what was taken from them. But it closes a loophole that never should have existed to begin with, and because of that, children in Massachusetts will be safer. 

Over the last few years, I’ve realized how important it is to fight for the parts of yourself that others tried to dismiss—and not let anyone else decide what your story means. 

Thank you to Governor Maura Healey, Representative Leigh Davis, Senator Joan Lovely, District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, everyone who worked to make this happen, and of course my partner in fighting crime, Hilary Simon. I couldn’t have done this without you. 

To every survivor: I know how much it can cost to tell the truth. But I also know what can happen when you do. I am so sorry for what was done to you. I hope today reminds you that you’re far more powerful than you’ve been led to believe. And I hope you know you were always worth protecting. Thank you.” 

Shannon Hogan, Survivor: 

“Hello, my name is Shannon Hogan and I am a survivor. Since 2022 I have had the privilege of working with Representative Scanlon's office to advance this bill.  

At the time, I served as the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Program Director with the Boston Police Department, where I helped build a multidisciplinary team dedicated to investigating unsolved sexual assaults that posed the greatest threat to public safety. In less than two years, our team identified 5 serial offenders and brought some type of closure to more than 30 survivors. However, due to the statute of limitations, charges were dropped for one of the alleged perpetrators, and he was unable to be prosecuted. 

This was devastating, as one of the survivor’s had been waiting 17 years for that moment. In spite of this tragedy, she was determined to tell her story so others would not endure the same fate. I hope that today she is able to find solace in knowing we would not be here without her. Similar to the cases I worked during this time, my personal experience was also the result of a serial offender. A man adept in using the system to his advantage to escape facing his crimes. However, continued successful prosecutions of cold cases prove that the truth cannot remain buried forever. 

Today, I stand before you as both a law enforcement professional and a survivor to affirm that, even in our darkest moments, we cannot lose hope or faith that the light will ultimately prevail. Truth does not expire—and with the passage of this bill today, neither will justice.” 

Rosanne Sliney, Survivor 

“As a survivor and advocate, I know that justice is often delayed by silence, power, and time. These reforms strengthen protections for young people and make clear that DNA evidence should never be disregarded simply because years have passed. I am grateful to Governor Healey and the Legislature for taking this important step toward accountability. Survivors deserve laws that recognize a fundamental truth: justice should not expire.” 

Statements by Legislature: 

State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (D-Westport) 

"Advances in DNA technology offer assault victims a new opportunity for justice, employing methods not available previously to hold those accountable for their actions, even after exceeding the statute of limitations. I worked closely with the Healey-Driscoll administration to incorporate this important provision in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. We also worked to strengthen protections for minors by increasing the age of consent, safeguarding adolescents who are coerced into an improper relationship with a person of authority. With the Governor signing this legislation into law, we now expand the scope of past offenses and better deter potential improper relationships from happening in the future.”   

Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) 

“For too long, our laws have allowed adults in positions of authority and trust to exploit the very children they are supposed to protect and then hide behind a claim of consent. That ends now. No figure of authority should ever be able to groom or assault a young person and walk away without accountability. Closing this loophole has been one of the most personal and important fights of my career, and I am proud that we got it done for the children and families of the Commonwealth.”   

Senator Mark Montigny, sponsor of legislation to allow prosecutions for sexual assault beyond the standard statute of limitations and cosponsor of the legislation to close the age of consent loophole (D-New Bedford) 

“Far too many victims, survivors, and their loved ones have endured unbearable pain and injustice. Together, these laws will finally help to ensure that those perpetrating these monstrous crimes can no longer evade criminal responsibility in the Commonwealth and I hope that provides survivors with some assurance that their voice matters and they have been heard.” 

Representative John Lawn (D-Watertown) 

"People in positions of power should never have the authority to exploit children. Weaponizing trust for sexual exploitation is abuse, not consent. I am proud of the progress made by closing the age of consent loophole, and our fight to strengthen protections and ensure justice for children and survivors continues. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Senator Lovely, Representative Higgins, and every survivor and advocate whose partnership and courage made this possible." 

Representative Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleboro) 

“Today is a great day for justice.  I am very grateful to the Governor for her support and for her signing it into law, as well as to my colleagues, including my co-filer Rep. Kane, as well as Chair Day, Chair Michlewitz, and the Speaker. I am also grateful to law enforcement for their support, and to advocates, like at the organizations RAINN and the Joyful Heart Foundation.  And mostly, I am honored to have worked with all the survivors who came forward to tell their stories and push for this change, starting with my friend and constituent Katelyn and including all the other survivors who were such strong advocates in this process.  You can be very proud of what you have accomplished, helping law enforcement get dangerous perpetrators off the streets and helping survivors get justice.” 

Representative Leigh Davis (D-Great Barrington) 

“When I took office, I made strengthening protections for students one of my first legislative priorities because I believed Massachusetts had to do better. I wasn’t the first person to recognize this gap in our law, but I was determined to help move years of advocacy across the finish line. I’m deeply grateful to Governor Maura Healey for signing this important legislation into law; to Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon for their extraordinary courage; to Berkshire District Attorney Tim Shugrue, whose early guidance helped shape my understanding of this issue; to Senator Joan Lovely and Representative John Lawn for their years of leadership; and to the many advocates, educators, prosecutors, and colleagues whose dedication made this day possible. Today, Massachusetts sends a clear message: power is not permission. We owe survivors our gratitude. We owe young people our protection. Today, Massachusetts delivers both.” 

Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) 

“I am thrilled that the DNA exception bill has become law. Removing the statute of limitations when there is a DNA match with a rape kit will get sexual predators off the streets, keeping the public safe and helping survivors see justice. I am grateful for the work of the advocates for this legislation, for Rep. Scanlon's partnership and leadership in advancing this statute change, and to the Governor and my colleagues in the House and Senate for including the DNA exception bill in the FY27 budget.” 

Senator Lydia Edwards, State Senator for the Third Suffolk District and Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary (D-Boston). 

"This legislation closes a critical loophole and sends a clear message: survivors deserve every opportunity to pursue justice, no matter how much time has passed. Advances in DNA technology have transformed what is possible, and our laws should reflect that reality. By strengthening these protections, we're giving survivors another path to accountability while helping ensure those responsible for these violent crimes can be brought to justice. Signing this into law is an important step toward building a justice system where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered." 

Representative Michael S. Day (D-Stoneham) 

“I am very happy to see these measures, which will provide survivors and the Commonwealth itself with more avenues to seek justice, signed into law. I thank my colleagues and Governor Healey and her team who worked with me on these issues. I applaud the survivors who bravely shared their stories with us. They not only made today possible, they made our justice system better and fairer for future generations.” 

Statements of Support: 

Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health  

"We are glad this important legislation may expand options for survivors, supporting both patient-centered care and access to forensic evidence collection for those who choose that path. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are available around the clock in emergency departments across the Commonwealth, providing trauma-informed forensic care to adolescents and adults after a sexual assault. SANEs support patient autonomy through shared decision-making, walking survivors through their care options, which may include a medical-forensic exam and the collection of forensic evidence. That evidence is gathered using carefully established protocols and submitted to the Commonwealth's crime labs for DNA analysis, to develop a DNA profile of the assailant when possible."    

Marisol García, Massachusetts Child Advocate 

“Every young person deserves to be safe from abuse by the adults entrusted with their care. Teachers, coaches, staff at youth residential programs, and school resource officers are all in positions of authority and trust. While the majority of adults in these roles understand the importance of boundaries, every year the OCA sees cases where young people are groomed and sexually abused by the adults who were supposed to protect them. This bill makes clear that adults who exploit their positions of trust and sexually abuse teenagers will be held accountable.” 

Maricelis Ortiz, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts 

"As an organization that has stood alongside survivors for more than a century, YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts welcomes these long-overdue reforms that strengthen protections for children and expand access to justice for survivors of sexual assault. For too many survivors, healing takes time, and justice has too often been out of reach. By raising the age of consent and allowing DNA evidence to support prosecution beyond the statute of limitations, Massachusetts is taking a meaningful step toward holding offenders accountable while affirming that every survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and supported. We are grateful to Governor Healey, legislative leaders, survivors, and advocates whose unwavering commitment made this progress possible, and we remain steadfast in our mission to eliminate violence, empower survivors, and build safer communities for all." 

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