1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1486 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 204
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.
_________________
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 requiring the documentation of child counsel appointments.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.5th Worcester1/15/2025 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1486 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 204
By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 204) of
Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. relative to the Department of Children and Families providing official
documentation of child counsel appointments. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 133 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act requiring the documentation of child counsel appointments.
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 29 of Chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following paragraph:- Counsel under the
3department shall meet on a quarterly basis with any child currently in the custody of the
4department. The department shall provide official documentation, which shall be subject to
5approval to any relevant commission, social worker, foster parent, or guardian to confirm the
6validity of said quarterly meeting. Counsel shall present documentation prior to compensation
7for said quarterly meetings.