HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2657        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1534

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

David F. DeCoste

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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 establish criteria to assess the maturity of a minor seeking an abortion.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2657        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1534

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act to establish criteria to assess the maturity of a minor seeking an abortion.

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 112 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section 12S. (a)Upon petition or motion for judicial consent to abortion, pursuant to Section 12R, a judge of the Superior Court Department of the Trial Court,  in assessing the minor’s maturity, shall consider, among other factors, whether or not the minor: has clear and realistic goals; exhibits perseverance in achieving goals; exercises self-control over her behavior, emotions, and anger; respects  other people’s opinions or beliefs; is able to accept what she cannot change;  expresses gratitude for what she has;  is able to admit to being wrong; has self-confidence; tends to be satisfied with  life;  avoids envying and criticizing others; is willing to sacrifice to benefit someone else without complaint;  assumes responsibility for her own mistakes or failures;  is generous in doing good works;  seeks information before taking action.

(b) Upon completion of this assessment, the judge shall make a written record of the findings which support a determination of the minor’s maturity or immaturity, as appropriate.

(c) The judge shall maintain an annual written record of the number of petitions or motions for judicial consent to abortion pursuant to Section 12R presented to the judge and shall indicate how many are granted or denied and shall include the age of the minor presenting each petition or motion. The judge shall provide an annual report of same to the Commissioner of Public Health, who shall prepare statistical tables showing the frequency with which petitions or motions for judicial consent to abortion pursuant to Section 12R are filed, granted, and denied and include the age of the minors who filed said petitions and motions. The Commissioner of Public Health shall make an annual report thereof to the general court.