HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2790        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3950

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf

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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 relative to supporting parents in recovery from substance use disorder and enhancing child welfare.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2790        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3950

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to supporting parents in recovery from substance use disorder and enhancing child welfare.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 119A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 51B the following section:-

Section 51B½. (a) If a parent has an action plan developed by the department pursuant to subsection (g) of section 51B for services related to the parent’s substance use disorder, as defined by section 35 of chapter 123, the department shall allow the parent to direct the creation of the plan, where appropriate, and shall meet with the parent prior to finalizing the plan.

(b) The department shall include in an action plan a list of available and accessible resources for any service required under such plan.

(c) Where parenting time is restricted or limited and the parent has an action plan with the department, the department shall include in the action plan objective standards that the parent can meet in order to increase their parenting time, subject to approval by a court if necessary.

(d) A parent with substance use disorder shall be permitted to have a recovery coach or an alcohol and drug counselor, licensed pursuant to chapter 111J, present in any meeting with an employee of the department or a member of a multi-disciplinary team monitoring the action plan pursuant to section 51D.

(e) If a parent with substance use disorder has an action plan with the department, the department shall allow family counseling after the parent has maintained recovery for at least 6 months. The department shall permit family counseling only if appropriate and in the best interests of the child.

(f) All department employees shall have training on issues related to substance use disorders, which shall include training from peers with lived experience that are professionals working in the department or another agency of the commonwealth. The department shall consult with medical professionals and the persons working in or with lived experience in the recovery community for the development and updating of training standards.