HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2559        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 131

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Moran, (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 to reform foster care services for children with regards to sibling visitation and contact.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Deborah Raptopoulos, MEd, MSW, LICSW

190 Ivy Street, Brookline, MA 02446

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2559        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 131

By Mr. Moran of Boston (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 131) of Deborah Raptopoulos, MEd, MSW, LICSW relative to sibling visitation and contact for children in custody of the Department of Children and Families.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act to reform foster care services for children with regards to sibling visitation and contact.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1:  Section 26B of Chapter 119 of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph in subsection (b) the following sentence:-

“If – in the judgment of the department – personal visitation would not be in the best interests of the children, the sibling or half-sibling of the child must have monthly contact. The department shall develop the form of contact to be used between the children.”