HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1431        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1245

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Claire D. Cronin

_________________

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 relative to parent-child privilege.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Claire D. Cronin

11th Plymouth

1/15/2015

Jeffrey N. Roy

10th Norfolk

9/13/2019

Danielle W. Gregoire

4th Middlesex

9/13/2019

Michelle M. DuBois

10th Plymouth

9/13/2019

Brian A. Joyce

Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth

9/13/2019

Brian M. Ashe

2nd Hampden

9/13/2019

Chris Walsh

6th Middlesex

9/13/2019

Michael D. Brady

Second Plymouth and Bristol

9/13/2019


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1431        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1245

By Ms. Cronin of Easton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1245) of Claire D. Cronin and others relative to parent-child privilege in delinquency or youthful offender proceedings.  The Judiciary.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1277 OF 2013-2014.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

_______________

 

An Act relative to parent-child privilege.

 

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 20 of chapter 233 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the Fourth clause, and inserting in place thereof the following:-

Fourth, in a proceeding before an inquest, grand jury, trial of indictment or complaint, or any other criminal, delinquency or youthful offender proceeding where the victim in such proceeding is not a family member and does not reside in the family household, neither the parent nor minor child shall testify against the other without the other’s permission. For the purpose of this clause the term, “parent”, shall mean the biological or adoptive parent, stepparent, foster parent, or legal guardian of a child. In cases where the victim is a family member and resides in said household, the parent shall not testify as to any communication with such child that was for the purpose of seeking advice regarding the child’s legal rights and decision making