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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 948 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1472
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
William J. Driscoll, Jr., (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to consanguinity as a defense to the crime of accessory after the fact.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Jessica Nohmy1/17/2023 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 948 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1472
By Representative Driscoll of Milton (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
1472) of Jessica Nohmy relative to consanguinity as a defense to the crime of accessory after the
fact. The Judiciary.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to consanguinity as a defense to the crime of accessory after the fact.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 4 of chapter 274 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by striking out the second and third sentences and inserting in place thereof
3the following 2 sentences:- The fact that the defendant is the spouse of the offender shall be a
4defense to a prosecution under this section. If such a defendant testifies solely as to the existence
5of such relationship, they shall not be subject to cross examination on any other subject matter,
6nor shall their criminal record, if any, except for perjury or subornation of perjury, be admissible
7to impeach their credibility.