HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3128 FILED ON: 2/18/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 255
|
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 relative to the consideration of a child’s racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic identity.
_______________
PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Joan Meschino | 3rd Plymouth | 2/17/2021 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3128 FILED ON: 2/18/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 255
By Ms. Meschino of Hull, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 255) of Joan Meschino relative to the long-term well-being consideration of a child’s racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic identity. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
_______________
An Act relative to the consideration of a child’s racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic identity.
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 1 of Chapter 119 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following sentence at the end of the third paragraph:-
Consideration of the child’s long-term well-being shall include consideration of how to best preserve and promote the child’s cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities.
SECTION 2. Section 5-207 of Chapter 190B of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following sentence at the end of subsection (a):-
The court’s consideration of what would be in the best interest of the minor shall include consideration of how to best preserve and promote the minor’s cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities.
SECTION 3. Section 3 of Chapter 210 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence of the second paragraph of subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following two sentences:-
In making the determination, the health, safety, and well-being of the child shall be of paramount, but not exclusive, concern. The court’s consideration of the child’s well-being shall include consideration of how to best preserve and promote the child’s cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities.