HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2936        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3447

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Paul McMurtry

_________________

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 legal assistance in divorce proceedings.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Paul McMurtry

11th Norfolk

1/16/2015

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

1/30/2015

Michael F. Rush

Norfolk and Suffolk

2/3/2015

Benjamin Swan

11th Hampden

2/4/2015


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2936        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3447

By Mr. McMurtry of Dedham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3447) of Paul McMurtry and others for legislation to authorize the Chief Justice of the Trial Court to provide informational notices to respondents in any divorce proceedings.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act relative to legal assistance in divorce proceedings.

 

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.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the chief justice of the trial court of the commonwealth shall develop an informational notice that shall be provided to respondents in any divorce proceeding.  The notice shall be provided with any service of a copy of the summons.   The notice shall contain, but shall not be limited to, the following information:  (1) lawyer referral assistance; (2) legal services and aid resources available; (3) a basic summary of civil procedure applicable to divorce and alimony; (4) parent and family education and informational workshops available; (5) court fee structures; (6) and the rights and responsibilities of the respondents. 

SECTION 2. The  chief justice of the trial court of the commonwealth shall develop and provide the informational notice required by section 1 within  120 days from the effective date of this act.