No, cannibalism is illegal in Massachusetts under statutes prohibiting assault, bodily harm, and public health violations. The state’s criminal code criminalizes acts causing serious physical harm, including consumption of human flesh, with penalties ranging from felony assault to manslaughter charges. Local health departments, including the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, enforce compliance through public safety protocols, aligning with 2026 legislative updates targeting extreme bodily harm cases.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in Massachusetts
- Assault and Battery Statutes (MGL c. 265, § 13A-15): Prohibits causing serious bodily injury, including ingestion of human tissue, with felony penalties up to 20 years imprisonment.
- Public Health Emergency Protocols (MGL c. 111, § 3): Empowers local boards of health to intervene in cases involving consumption of human remains, mandating quarantine or medical evaluation.
- 2026 Omnibus Crime Reform Act: Expands definitions of “extreme physical harm” to explicitly include cannibalistic acts, increasing mandatory minimum sentences for aggravated offenses.
Enforcement prioritizes intent and harm, with district attorneys in Suffolk, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties historically pursuing charges under aggravated assault provisions. Federal overlap remains limited unless interstate elements (e.g., trafficking) are present.