Pittsfield council unanimously backs House bill to criminalize sexual conduct by adults in positions of trust

The Pittsfield City Council on March 25 voted unanimously to support a House bill aimed at criminalizing sexual conduct between adults in positions of trust and minors under their supervision and to ask the council president to send letters urging legislative action.

Councilor Lampiazzi introduced the petition as a companion to a Senate bill the council previously supported. He described the proposal as creating a statutory carve-out to address the “incoherent power imbalance” when teachers, coaches or clergy engage in sexual conduct with students under their supervision. Lampiazzi cited state and national statistics during his remarks, and said he received a letter of support from the district attorney.

Councilors across the chamber endorsed the motion emphatically. Councilor Wren called the vote “probably the easiest vote any of us could probably make,” citing concerns for children in schools and sports. Councilor Percip sharply criticized state lawmakers who have delayed similar bills and urged persistent pressure from cities and towns.

The council also adopted two amendments during the meeting: one asking Council President White to send letters to Senate Chair Lydia Edwards and House Chair Mike Day urging support for the bill, and a second amendment requesting that Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier be asked to sponsor the legislation in the House if possible. Both amendments passed unanimously before the main motion was approved.

Public comment earlier in the meeting included a request from a resident who said a related joint bill was stalled at the state level; the resident urged local officials to take action and offered to circulate petitions. The council recorded unanimous passage by voice vote.

Background: councilors referenced Senate bill SD1163 and the companion House measure during discussion and said Massachusetts is the only New England state without a statutory prohibition of this conduct in positions of trust, according to statements made at the meeting. The motion as amended directs the council president to send advocacy letters to legislative chairs and to request local House representation for sponsorship.