Sen. Joan Lovely outlines bills to limit age-of-consent defense for authority figures and expand coach training

State Senator Joan Lovely used remarks at the Lynn Community Connection Coalition’s child-abuse prevention luncheon to describe two pieces of legislation she has filed addressing child sexual abuse and prevention.

On one bill, Lovely said the legislature would remove the ability of people in “positions of authority and trust” to use the fact that a young person has reached Massachusetts' age of consent (16) as a legal defense if grooming or an abuse-of-trust relationship is alleged. “We're going to say, 'No, if you're in a position of authority and trust and you are preying on a child even when they turn 16, between 16 and 18, you can't use age of consent as a defense,'” she said.

Lovely said that many other states have adopted similar limits and that she is working to move the proposal “to the finish line this session.” The transcript does not include a bill number or statutory citation; those details were not specified at the event.

Lovely also described legislation to expand mandated-reporter training to volunteer coaches and other volunteers who regularly work with youth, saying the intent is training rather than a blanket bar on volunteering. “I say that with a little bit of trepidation 'cuz I don't want to chill our moms and dads who want to be volunteer coaches,” she said, explaining the aim is to provide targeted training so volunteers can identify signs of abuse and know how to report it.

Lovely framed both proposals as prevention-focused changes that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable; she did not report that either bill had advanced through committee or received a vote. She encouraged continued partnership with DCF and local providers as the legislative work proceeds.