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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 492 FILED ON: 1/9/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 290
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Steven Ultrino and Sean Garballey
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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 allowing certain minors to consent to supportive services.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Steven Ultrino33rd Middlesex1/9/2025Sean Garballey23rd Middlesex1/9/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 492 FILED ON: 1/9/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 290
By Representatives Ultrino of Malden and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by
bill, House, No. 290) of Steven Ultrino and Sean Garballey for legislation to authorize
unaccompanied homeless youth between the ages of 15 and 18 to consent to supportive services
and shelter. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
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 allowing certain minors to consent to supportive services.
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. Chapter 6A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2Section 16XX the following new section : -
3 Section 16XX. (a) In this chapter the following terms, unless a contrary meaning is
4required by the context or is specifically prescribed, shall have the following meanings:
5 “Service Provider” is a public or private nonprofit organization that provides supportive
6services to a mature minor experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in need of
7supportive services.
8 “Supportive Services” shall mean interventions, services, or resources necessary to assist
9a mature minor experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in acquiring or
10maintaining: (1) stable housing; (2) permanent connections, including ongoing attachments to
11families, communities, schools, and other positive social networks; (3) financial stability; (4) 2 of 3
12education, employment or income, including high performance in completion of education and
13training activities, especially for younger youth, and starting and maintaining adequate and stable
14employment, particularly for older youth; or (5) social and emotional wellbeing, including the
15development of key competencies, attitudes, and behaviors that equip a young person to succeed
16across multiple domains of daily life, including school, work, relationships, and community.
17 “Mature minor experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness” or “mature minor”
18shall be a minor who (1) is 15 years of age or older; (2) is not in the physical custody of a parent
19or legal guardian; (3) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as defined in
20section 16W, chapter 6A; or (3) whose status or circumstances indicate a significant danger of
21experiencing homelessness in the near future. The minor shall also be able to understand the
22circumstances and implications of the situation in which they are involved and is able to
23participate in the decision making process without excessive anxiety or fear.
24 (b) A mature minor experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in need of
25supportive services may consent to such services if the service provider reasonably believes that:
26(1) the mature minor understands the significant benefits, responsibilities, risks, and limits of the
27services and can communicate an informed consent; (2) the mature minor understands the
28requirements and rules of receiving the services; and (3) the services are necessary to ensure the
29mature minor’s safety and wellbeing.
30 (c) A mature minor experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in need of
31supportive services who is a parent may consent to supportive services for their child. 3 of 3
32 (d) Any provider receiving funding from the Executive Office of Health and Human
33Services’ Homeless Youth Services Division may provide services to a mature minor after they
34obtain informed and written consent from the mature minor.
35 (e) The informed written consent from the mature minor shall state their: (1) age; (2)
36guardianship status, if known; and (3) current living situation.
37 (f) A service provider may not provide supportive services to a mature minor if the
38service provider has knowledge that the mature minor: (1) knowingly provided false information
39in the written consent required under subsection (e) of this section; or (2) does not meet the
40definition of mature minor in need of supportive services under subsection (a) and (b) of this
41section.
42 (g) Any provider who renders supportive services to a mature minor in need of supportive
43services in compliance with this section shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability,
44unless such liability arises from the provider’s gross negligence or willful or wanton acts or
45omissions.
46 (h) The Office of Children, Youth, and Families shall adopt regulations to carry out this
47section.