H1659
An Act relative to determining the best interest of children in probate and family court
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Bill overview
This bill seeks to ensure that when decisions are made in probate and family courts that affect children, the best interests of those children are prioritized and carefully considered. It aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding child-related cases by emphasizing a focus on the child’s well-being. The bill intends to improve the process of evaluating what constitutes a child’s ‘best interest’ in these legal proceedings. It builds upon previous attempts to address this issue within the Massachusetts legal system.
Key provisions
- Requires courts to explicitly consider the best interests of children in probate and family court decisions.
- Encourages the development of guidelines and best practices for assessing a child’s needs and interests.
- Promotes the inclusion of child-centered perspectives in legal proceedings.
- Supports ongoing study and evaluation of current practices related to children’s interests in court.
Who is affected
- Children involved in probate and family court cases
- Parents and guardians involved in probate and family court cases
- Judges and court staff in probate and family court
- Attorneys representing parties in probate and family court
Notable changes
- Builds on previous legislative efforts to prioritize children’s interests in court.
- Likely to influence how courts evaluate cases involving child custody, guardianship, and other related matters.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Marjorie C. Decker
Cosponsors
Estela A. Reyes
Jason M. Lewis
Marjorie C. Decker
Arguments in favor
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Bill H.1659 194th (Current)
An Act relative to determining the best interest of children in probate and family court
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1659) of Marjorie C. Decker and Jason M. Lewis relative to children in Probate and Family Court decisions. The Judiciary.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: Marjorie C. Decker
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Committee Vote Committee Summary Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 6 actions for Bill H.1659
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on The Judiciary |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 4/18/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2 |
| 10/14/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2 |
| House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order | |
| 3/26/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) |
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