HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3166        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3106

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joan Meschino

_________________

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 to accelerate a child’s reunification with family members.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Joan Meschino

3rd Plymouth

1/20/2017

Juana B. Matias

16th Essex

 

Tricia Farley-Bouvier

3rd Berkshire

 

Bud Williams

11th Hampden

 

Josh S. Cutler

6th Plymouth

 

Natalie Higgins

4th Worcester

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3166        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3106

By Ms. Meschino of Hull, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3106) of Joan Meschino and others for legislation to expedite the reunification of children under temporary custody with family members.  The Judiciary.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1439 OF 2013-2014.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act to accelerate a child’s reunification with family members.

 

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, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after section 25, the following new section:-

Section 25A.  Any time after granting temporary custody of a child to the department, the court may review and revise that order sua sponte to allow for the child to be placed in the custody of a parent, guardian, custodian, or a suitable third party.  No sooner than 60 days after the filing of the care and protection petition under section24, any party may file a motion requesting such a review.  If the party alleges that there has been a material change in circumstances, the court shall take evidence on the issue to determine whether a modification of the order is warranted.