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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1740 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2336
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Susan L. Moran
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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 the military family advocacy program, domestic violence and child abuse and
neglect.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Susan L. MoranPlymouth and BarnstableMichael O. MooreSecond Worcester2/15/2023Anne M. GobiWorcester and Hampshire2/22/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1740 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2336
By Ms. Moran, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2336) of Susan L. Moran, Michael
O. Moore and Anne M. Gobi for legislation relative to the military family advocacy program,
domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. Veterans and Federal Affairs.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to the military family advocacy program, domestic violence and child abuse and
neglect.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 51B of chapter 119 of the Generals Laws, as appearing in the 2020
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding, after subsection (r), the following subsection:-
3 (s) If a report is accepted as a credible allegation of domestic abuse or child abuse or
4neglect as defined by the department of children and families, the department shall collect
5information concerning the military status of the spouse, intimate partner, parent or guardian of
6the child who is the subject of the report and shall share information about the allegation with the
7appropriate military authorities in accordance with the memorandum of understanding described
8in section 51D.
9 SECTION 2. Section 51D of said chapter 119, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
10adding, after the last paragraph, the following paragraph:- 2 of 2
11 Each area director shall, on behalf of the department, enter into a memorandum of
12understanding with the military family advocacy program at a local military installation with
13respect to child abuse and neglect investigations. For the purposes of this section, "military
14family advocacy program" shall mean the program established by the United States Department
15of Defense to address child abuse and neglect in military families. Such memorandum of
16understanding shall establish procedures and protocols for matters including, but not limited to,
17(a) identifying an individual credibly alleged to have committed abuse or neglect as military
18personnel; (b) identifying appropriate circumstances for reporting to the military family
19advocacy program without reducing likelihood of reporting or creating undue risk to the health
20or wellbeing of the spouse, intimate partner, or child; (c) reporting to a military family advocacy
21program when an investigation implicating military personnel has been initiated; and (d)
22maintaining confidentiality requirements under state and federal law.
23 SECTION 3. This act shall take effect immediately.