HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1039 FILED ON: 1/18/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 924
|
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Jerald A. Parisella, (BY REQUEST)
_________________
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 task force to study grandparents visitation rights.
_______________
PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Denise Hansen | 79 Rantoul Street, Apt. 315 Beverly, MA | 1/18/2017 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1039 FILED ON: 1/18/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 924
By Mr. Parisella of Beverly (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 924) of Denise Hansen for legislation to establish a task force to study grandparents’ visitation rights. The Judiciary. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1528 OF 2015-2016.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)
_______________
An Act establishing a task force to study grandparents visitation rights.
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. (a) There is established a task force to study issues related to visitation rights for grandparents. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of (1) the legal and social issues related to grandparents' access to visitation, (2) the impact of the loss of contact on families, (3) social supports to promote the continuation of these relationships, and (4) legislative proposals that are consistent with the state constitution.
(b) The task force shall consist of Eleven members:
(1) Three appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, at least one of whom shall be a representative of an advocacy group representing the interests of grandparents seeking visitation rights;
(2) Three appointed by the President of the Senate, at least one of whom shall be a representative of an advocacy group representing the interests of children;
(3) Three appointed by the Governor, at least one of whom shall be a representative of a Massachusetts legal services program and who has experience working in family law;
(4) Two appointed by the Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court, at least one of whom shall be a representative of the family law section of the Massachusetts Bar Association;
(5) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing