HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1838        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1431

 

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 regarding foster parents rights to notice and an opportunity to be heard in legal proceedings involving foster children.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

1/15/2015

Jennifer L. Flanagan

Worcester and Middlesex

9/20/2019

Marjorie C. Decker

25th Middlesex

2/3/2015

Marcos A. Devers

16th Essex

2/2/2015

Carolyn C. Dykema

8th Middlesex

1/28/2015

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

1/27/2015

Tricia Farley-Bouvier

3rd Berkshire

1/26/2015

Mary S. Keefe

15th Worcester

1/26/2015

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

1/23/2015

Chris Walsh

6th Middlesex

2/3/2015

Barbara A. L'Italien

Second Essex and Middlesex

1/22/2015


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1838        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1431

By Ms. Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1431) of Kay Khan and others relative to the rights of foster parents to receive notice and an opportunity to be heard in legal proceedings involving foster children.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act regarding foster parents rights to notice and an opportunity to be heard in legal proceedings involving foster children.

 

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

Chapter 119 Section 29D of the General Laws shall be amended by striking out the text in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:  “The department shall provide  written  notice of  all proceedings and hearings pertaining to the subject child to a foster parent, pre-adoptive parent or relative providing care for the child who is the subject of the petition at least ten days prior to said hearing or proceeding and shall inform the foster parent, pre-adoptive parent or relative of his right to attend the hearing and to be heard. Said foster parent, pre-adoptive parent or relative providing care for the child shall have the right to present evidence at said proceedings and hearings either orally or by submitting to the Court and the parties a written statement, executed under pains and penalties of perjury, addressing the needs, strengths, behavior and  development of the child in his or her care.  Nothing in this provision shall be construed to provide that such foster parent, pre-adoptive parent or relative shall be made a party to the proceeding.”