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Massachusetts
Sex Offender Registry Board
On September 10, 1999, a new law pertaining to the Sex Offender
Registry and Community Notification Act became the effective in
MA. This act replaced the old Sex Offender Registry and Community
Notification Act.
Because of the legal challenges raised previously, the Registry
experienced a hiatus. The courts have since heard these cases and
ruled the Registry can now proceed.
Once offenders have been afforded a hearing and been found to be
a sexually dangerous person they are obligated to register at their
local police department. The Sex Offender Registry also notifies
local police departments that offenders after their appeals are
moving to their particular jurisdiction.
Who Must Register
Pursuant to Chapter 6, section 178 of the Massachusetts General
Laws, a person is required to register as a sex offender if he/she
lives or works in the Commonwealth and was:
- Convicted on or after August 1, 1981
- Adjudicated a delinquent juvenile on or after August 1, 1981
- Adjudicated a youthful offender on or after August 1, 1981
- Released from incarceration on or after August 1, 1981
- Released from parole or probation supervision on or after August
1, 1981
- Released from the Department of Youth Services on or after August
1, 1981
- Adjudicated a sexually dangerous person on or after August 1,
1981; or
- Released from civil commitment on or after August 1, 1981
For one or more of the following crimes:
- Indecent assault and battery on a child under 14;
- Indecent assault and battery on a mentally retarded person;
- Indecent assault and battery on a person age 14 or over;
- Rape;
- Rape of a child under 16 with force;
- Rape and abuse of a child;
- Assault with intent to commit rape;
- Kidnapping of a child;
- Enticing away a person for prostitution or sexual intercourse;
- Drugging persons for sexual intercourse;
- Inducing a minor into prostitution;
- Living off or sharing earnings of a minor prostitute;
- Second and subsequent conviction for open and gross lewdness
and lascivious behavior, but excluding a first or single adjudication
as a delinquent juvenile before August 1, 1991;
- Incestuous marriage or intercourse;
- Disseminating to a minor matter harmful to a minor;
- Posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity;
- Dissemination of visual material of a child in a state of nudity
or sexual conduct;
- Possession of child pornography;
- Unnatural and lascivious acts with a child under 16;
- Aggravated rape; and
- Any attempt to commit a violation of any of the aforementioned
sections pursuant to section 6 of said chapter 274 or a like violation
of the laws of another sate, the United States or a military,
territorial or Indian tribal authority.
Sex Offenders Moving into Massachusetts
All sex offenders must register with the Board by mail within 2
days of moving into the Commonwealth from another jurisdiction.
Sex Offenders Moving within Massachusetts from One Address to
Another
All sex offenders must register by notifying the Board of their
current and new address by mail at least 10 days prior to:
Moving to a different city or town in the Commonwealth; or
Moving within the same city or town in the Commonwealth.
Out of State Sex Offenders Working in Massachusetts
Sex offenders residing in locations outside of Massachusetts, but
who are employed in the Commonwealth, must register with the Board
by mail within 2 days of beginning employment.
Changes of Work Addresses for All Sex Offenders
Sex offenders must register by notifying the Board of their current
and new work address by mail at least 10 days prior to changing
a place of employment.
Sex Offenders Moving Out of Massachusetts
Sex offenders must notify the Board of their new address by mail
at least 10 days prior to moving out of the Commonwealth.
Homeless Sex Offenders
All sex offenders residing at a homeless shelter must verify registration
data every 90 days by mail to the Board. The penalties for failure
to register, verify registration information, provide notice of
change of address or employment, or provide false information are:
First conviction: imprisonment for not more than 30 days in a house
of correction;
Second conviction: imprisonment for not more than 2 ½ years in a
house of correction nor more than 5 years in a state prison or by
a fine of not more than $1,000, or both;
Third and Subsequent conviction: imprisonment in state prison for
not less than 5 years.
Penalties for failure to comply with G.L. c. 6. Sections 178C
to 178P
Sex offenders will be prosecuted for violating the law if they
knowingly:
Fail to register;
Fail to verify registration information;
Fail to provide notice of change of address or place of employment;
or
Provide false information.
The penalties for the above-referenced violations are:
First conviction: imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not
more than 2 ½ years in a house or correction nor more than 5 years
in a state prison or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both;
Second and Subsequent conviction: imprisonment in state prison for
not less than 5 years.
Duty to Verify Your Registration Information
Sex offenders are required to verify that their registration information
is accurate and up-to-date. Until further notice, they must annually
verify their registration data, by mail, to the Board.
Massachusetts
Sex Offender Registry Board
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