HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1216        FILED ON: 1/16/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1439

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Kay Khan

_________________

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 accelerate a child’s reunification with family members.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

 

Paul J. Donato

35th Middlesex

1/17/2013

Marcos A. Devers

16th Essex

1/28/2013

Denise Andrews

2nd Franklin

1/28/2013

Gloria L. Fox

7th Suffolk

2/1/2013

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex

2/1/2013


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1216        FILED ON: 1/16/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1439

By Ms. Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1439) of Kay Khan and others for legislation to expedite the reunification of children under temporary custody with family members.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

An Act to accelerate a child’s reunification with family members.

 

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.  Chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after section 25, the following new section:-

Section 25A.  Any time after granting temporary custody of a child to the department, the court may review and revise that order sua sponte to allow for the child to be placed in the custody of a parent, guardian, custodian, or a suitable third party.  No sooner than 60 days after the filing of the care and protection petition under section24, any party may file a motion requesting such a review.  If the party alleges that there has been a material change in circumstances, the court shall take evidence on the issue to determine whether a modification of the order is warranted.