An Act to prevent aiding, supporting, or enticing a child to runaway

This bill amends Massachusetts law to create new criminal penalties for anyone who knowingly helps a child run away from their parents or legal guardians. It specifically defines "entice" as actions like luring, persuading, or soliciting a child to leave their care. The law imposes stricter punishments based on the child's age and the circumstances, such as whether the child is fleeing from foster care or living within 300 feet of a school. Under the new rules, aiding a child under 14 to run away from a parent can result in up to five years in state prison, while helping a child escape from foster care or a court order can lead to up to ten years in state prison.