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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1498 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 206
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.
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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 fast-tracking adoptions for children in DCF custody.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.5th Worcester1/15/2025 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1498 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 206
By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 206) of
Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. relative to providing that certain foster care children have the right to
be emancipated from their biological parents. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 131 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act fast-tracking adoptions for children in DCF custody.
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 25 of Chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following words:- Children in the custody
3of some suitable person or licensed agency providing foster care for children or the department
4for not less than eighteen months shall have the right to be emancipated from their biological
5parents if said parents have not fulfilled court ordered obligations.