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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 293 FILED ON: 1/12/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 64
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Joanne M. Comerford
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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 to support families.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and WorcesterJason M. LewisFifth Middlesex2/15/2023 1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 293 FILED ON: 1/12/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 64
By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 64) of Joanne M. Comerford
and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to support families. Children, Families and Persons with
Disabilities.
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 to support families.
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. The first paragraph of subsection (a) of section 51A of chapter 119 of the
2General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in
3line 6, the words:- ; (iii) physical dependence upon an addictive drug at birth.
4 SECTION 2. Said section 51A of said chapter 119, as so appearing, is hereby further
5amended by inserting after subsection (a) the following subsection:-
6 (a½) Separate from the reporting requirements under subsection (a), health care providers
7involved in the delivery or care of infants affected by in-utero substance exposure or a fetal
8alcohol spectrum disorder, shall notify the department of such condition in such infants as
9required under 42 U.S.C. § 1506a(b)(2)(B)(ii). Such notification shall not include the names or
10identifying information of the parents or the infant, shall not constitute a report that any parent
11has abused or neglected a child, and shall not trigger or require prosecution for any illegal action.