HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1486        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.

_________________

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 requiring the documentation of child counsel appointments.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.

5th Worcester

1/15/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1486        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[Pin Slip]

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 133 OF 2023-2024.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act requiring the documentation of child counsel appointments.

 

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 adding at the end thereof the following paragraph:- Counsel under the department shall meet on a quarterly basis with any child currently in the custody of the department. The department shall provide official documentation, which shall be subject to approval to any relevant commission, social worker, foster parent, or guardian to confirm the validity of said quarterly meeting. Counsel shall present documentation prior to compensation for said quarterly meetings.