Massachusetts § 38B - Assaults upon guards; bodily substances; penalty
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 38B — Assaults upon guards; bodily substances; penalty, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 38B. Assaults upon guards; bodily substances; penalty
Section 38B. (a) For the purposes of this section, ''bodily substance'' shall mean any human secretion, discharge or emission including, but not limited to, blood, saliva, mucous, semen, urine or feces.
(b) Any person in the custody of a correctional facility, including any jail, house of correction, trial court detention facility or state prison, who commits an assault or an assault and battery upon an officer or other employee, any volunteer or employee of a contractor in any such facility or any duly authorized officer or other employee of any such facility engaged in the transportation of a prisoner for any lawful purpose shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 2 and one-half years in a jail or house of correction or for not more than 10 years in a state prison. Such sentence shall begin from and after all sentences currently outstanding and unserved at the time of said assault or assault and battery.
(c) Any person in the custody of a correctional facility, including any jail, house of correction, trial court detention facility or state prison, who commits an assault or an assault and battery by means of a bodily substance upon an officer or other employee, any volunteer or employee of a contractor in any such facility or any duly authorized officer or other employee of any such facility engaged in the transportation of a prisoner for any lawful purpose shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 2 and one-half years in a jail or house of correction or for not more than 10 years in a state prison. Such sentence shall begin from and after all sentences currently outstanding and unserved at the time of said assault or assault and battery.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 38B
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 38B cover?
Section 38B ("Assaults upon guards; bodily substances; penalty") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 38B?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 38B" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 38B apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.