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March 12, 2026 Rain | 38°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.1052 194th (Current)

An Act relative to the uniform child custody jurisdiction and enforcement act

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1052) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to the uniform child custody jurisdiction and enforcement act. The Judiciary.

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Bill Information

Presenter:
Cynthia Stone Creem
Special Attachments:
Judiciary Committee -- Senate member votes

Child Custody

The bill concerns jurisdiction over child custody matters when one of the parents of the child lives in another state. Currently, when a custodial parent moves to a different state, Massachusetts cedes jurisdiction over its custody orders to the home state of the custodial parent and child after six months of their residency in the new state. Massachusetts is the only state that still cedes jurisdiction over its own orders. This is often very unfair to the “left behind” non-custodial parent who is then forced to travel and litigate in another state to resolve all custody issues. This legislation provides that once a state has exercised jurisdiction over custody, that state has exclusive jurisdiction over potential changes in the judgment or order, so long as a parent, the child, or someone acting as a parent remains in the original state. Massachusetts is the only US state that has not yet adopted the UCCJEA.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

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