Budget Amendment ID: FY2014-S3-114

GOV 114

Adoption Process Task Force

Mr. Ross and Ms. Spilka and Messrs. Tarr, Hedlund, Joyce and Knapik moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 4800-0038, by inserting after the words “Fragile Beginnings program” the following words:-

“; provided further, that the commissioner of the department of children and families shall lead a task force to study ways to reduce the costs and delays of the adoption process in the commonwealth; provided further, that this task force shall consist of two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, two members appointed by the president of the senate, one member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate, and two members appointed by the governor; provided further, that the task force shall consult with the chief justice of the probate and family court, the chief justice of the juvenile court, and the chief justice and trial court administrator of the trial court; and provided further, that the task force shall convene by September 1, 2013 and subsequently file a report with the clerk of the house of representatives and the clerk of the senate no later than March 1, 2014, and this report shall contain recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes to reduce costs of the adoption process and to make adoptions more easily available”