HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1339 FILED ON: 2/4/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 253
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Joan Meschino
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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 provide notice to counsel of changes in a child’s or a young adult’s placement and other events.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Joan Meschino | 3rd Plymouth | 2/3/2021 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1339 FILED ON: 2/4/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 253
By Ms. Meschino of Hull, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 253) of Joan Meschino for legislation to require the Department of Children and Families to provide notice to counsel of changes in a child’s or a young adult’s placement and other events. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 148 OF 2019-2020.]
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 provide notice to counsel of changes in a child’s or a young adult’s placement and other events.
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 29 of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the second paragraph the following paragraphs:
No later than five business days before any non-emergency change in a child’s or a young adult’s placement or any non-emergency hospitalization, and no later than one business day after any emergency change in a child’s or a young adult’s placement or any emergency hospitalization, the department shall provide notice of the change in placement or hospitalization to the child’s or the young adult’s attorney.
No later than the first business day thereafter, the department shall provide notice to a child’s attorney if it receives a report under section 51A and the child is the subject of the report. No later than the first business day thereafter, the department shall provide notice to a child’s attorney or a young adult’s attorney if it receives a report under section 51A that raises substantial questions regarding the suitability of the child’s or young adult’s current placement or any of the child’s or young adult’s service providers.
No later than the first business day thereafter, the department shall provide notice to a child’s or young adult’s attorney whenever it becomes aware of: (1) the child or young adult being arrested; (2) the child’s or young adult’s potential involvement in any proceeding under this chapter or any criminal investigation or proceeding; (3) the child or young adult being suspended from school; or (4) the child or young adult being the subject of any proceeding that could result in his or her suspension or expulsion from school.
SECTION 2. The department of children and families shall promulgate regulations to implement section 1 of this act no later than six months from the effective date of this act.