An Act relative to the protection of vulnerable adults from sexual assault committed by mandated reporters, persons in a position of trust and providers of transportation

This bill strengthens protections for vulnerable adults in Massachusetts by creating a specific criminal offense for sexual assault committed by mandated reporters, supervisors, or transportation providers. It defines a vulnerable adult as someone aged 14 or older who resides in a mental health facility, receives community services from specific state departments, or lives in a long-term care facility. The law establishes strict penalties, including up to twenty years in prison for a first offense and life imprisonment for repeat offenses, while explicitly stating that the victim's consent is not a valid defense. Additionally, the bill updates legal definitions to ensure these new crimes are properly classified as sex offenses for reporting and tracking purposes.