Massachusetts House Bill H2012

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Refer: 2/27/25

Caption

Relative to child-centered family law

Impact

If enacted, the bill would necessitate several changes to the current statutes in Massachusetts law. It would introduce the concept of 'decision-making responsibility,' classifying it as either shared or sole, with a focus on ensuring both parents have a role in significant decisions affecting their child's welfare, including education and health. Furthermore, the bill mandates that a parenting plan be developed and incorporated into any court orders concerning minor children, emphasizing the unique needs of each child and the parents’ responsibilities in meeting those needs.

Summary

House Bill 2012, presented by Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco, aims to amend existing Massachusetts family law to emphasize child-centered measures in custody and parenting arrangements. The bill seeks to replace traditional terms such as 'visitation' with 'parenting time', reflecting a shift towards a more collaborative approach to parenting post-divorce or separation. It underscores the importance of both parents maintaining a meaningful relationship with their children while ensuring that decisions regarding the child’s welfare are made with their best interests in mind.

Contention

The proposed changes could spark discussions around child custody laws in Massachusetts, particularly regarding the definitions of parental roles and responsibilities. Supporters argue that the shift towards a child-centered approach will greatly benefit children by fostering cooperative parenting and less adversarial relationships between parents. However, there may be concerns among some groups regarding how these changes could affect parental rights, especially in cases where one parent may pose risks to the child. The bill emphasizes mitigating conflicts through clearly defined responsibilities and shared involvement in parenting, raising questions about its efficacy in contentious custody battles.