The bill was sponsored by State Sen. Richard Ross.
Leclair and other supporters in the town of Wrentham insist that the ban could cut down on domestic abuse. Of course, it also denies consenting adults of the choice over their intimate relations. It is clearly unconstitutional and a denial of privacy rights.
Leclair hardly improved things when he was quoted as saying “It’s not intended to abridge the rights of anybody. If they want to have an extra-marital affair, just get away from the home.” Perhaps they could go over to Leclair’s house.
Here is the provision:
Section 31 of chapter 208 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-
In divorce, separation, or 209A proceedings involving children and a marital home, the party remaining in the home shall not conduct a dating or sexual relationship within the home until a divorce is final and all financial and custody issues are resolved, unless the express permission is granted by the courts.
Whether you are a libertarian or social liberal or civil libertarian (or all of the above), this proposal should have been offensive on the first draft.
What is fascinating is that last year Leclair denounced the selectmen and specifically Chairman Bob Cohen for being a “lightning rod” of discord. I am not sure if banning consenting adults from have relations in their homes is a good example of harmonious legislating.
Source: Fox Boston
Jonathan Turley