SECTION 1. Section 21 of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as so appearing in the Official Edition of 2008, is hereby amended by striking out the seventh paragraph and inserting in its place the following:-

“Custody”, the power to: (1) determine a child's place of abode, medical care and education; (2) control visits to a child; and (3) consent to enlistments, marriages and other contracts otherwise requiring parental consent. If a child, parent or guardian objects to the carrying out of any power conferred by this paragraph, that child, parent or guardian may take application to the committing court and the court shall take evidence and make a de novo determination and order on the matter.  If the court determines it to be in the child’s best interests, the court may order the department to change a child’s placement or order the guardian or custodian of a child, including the department, to provide visits and other contact between the child and the child’s sibling,

half-sibling, parent, guardian, custodian or other person.