HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3399        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3098

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Christopher M. Markey

_________________

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 parent child testimonial privilege.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Christopher M. Markey

9th Bristol

1/20/2017

Alice Hanlon Peisch

14th Norfolk

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3399        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3098

By Mr. Markey of Dartmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3098) of Christopher M. Markey and Alice Hanlon Peisch for legislation to establish parent child testimonial privileges.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act establishing a parent child testimonial 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 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the fourth paragraph the following paragraph:-

Fifth, except in any proceeding where an unemancipated minor child is alleged to have committed a crime against a family member, a parent of such unemanicipated child shall not be compelled to testify in any proceeding against the unemancipated minor child.  A child, upon the showing that the parent posses exculpatory evidence, may compel the parent to testify.  For purposes of this clause, the term “parent” shall mean the natural or adoptive mother or father or stepparent of said unemancipated minor child, provided such relationship existed at the time of the event in question.