HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3576        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2799

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jack Lewis

_________________

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 youth emancipation alternatives.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Jack Lewis

7th Middlesex

1/20/2017

Carlos González

10th Hampden

2/3/2017

Natalie Higgins

4th Worcester

1/31/2017


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3576        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2799

By Mr. Lewis of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2799) of Jack Lewis, Carlos Gonzalez and Natalie Higgins for legislation to establish a program to enable and support youth who are unaccompanied and without a guardian.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act relative to youth emancipation alternatives.

 

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 16X of Chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph -

(c) The Juvenile Court, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Youth Services, and the Committee for Public Counsel Services, shall establish a pilot program to enable and support youth who are unaccompanied and without a guardian. The pilot shall consider criteria for youth to declare themselves unaccompanied and without a guardian, and shall consider alternatives to emancipation. The pilot shall take into account access to social services and state support, eligibility criteria for housing, and other needs of youth who meet criteria established under the pilot. Further, the pilot shall take into special consideration the needs of youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning.