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

This bill creates a new criminal offense in Massachusetts for knowingly helping a child under 18 run away from their parents, guardians, or legal caregivers. The law specifically prohibits actions such as luring, persuading, or inviting a child to abscond from their responsible adult or agency. Penalties vary based on the child's age and the situation; for instance, aiding a child under 14 to flee from parents carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years, while helping a child escape from foster care or state custody can result in up to ten years in prison. Additionally, the bill imposes stricter punishments if the crime occurs within 300 feet of a school or preschool, with minimum fines of $2,500 for violations in those areas.