HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2388        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1964

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

James J. Lyons, Jr.

_________________

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 establishing a commission to study medical abuse claims.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

James J. Lyons, Jr.

18th Essex

1/19/2017

Shaunna L. O'Connell

3rd Bristol

2/3/2017


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2388        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1964

By Mr. Lyons of Andover, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1964) of James J. Lyons, Jr., and Shaunna L. O'Connell for an investigation by an independent commission (including members of the General Court) on a certain case before the Department of Children and Families regarding Justina Pelletier.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 106 OF 2015-2016.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act establishing a commission to study medical abuse claims.

 

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 is hereby amended by inserting the following new section:-

Section XXXX. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be an independent commission to study and report on the recent case before the Department of Children and Families regarding Justina Pelletier. The commission shall consist of: the inspector general, or a designee; the attorney general, or a designee;  the state auditor, or a designee; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader, and shall act as chair; and 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader. The commission shall research and assess the cost of the case, and the evidence and reasoning that led the Department of Children and Families to take Justina Pelletier away from her family. The commission shall also conduct an investigation of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 119, section 51A, focusing the number of families affected and any changes that can be made to the law to limit improper use.

(b) Said report shall be filed with to the chair and ranking minority member of the house committee on ways and means, the chair and ranking minority member of the senate committee on ways and means, and the clerks of the House of Representatives and senate no later than October 15, 2018.”