KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Massachusetts

H206 • 2025

An Act fast-tracking adoptions for children in DCF custody

An Act fast-tracking adoptions for children in DCF custody

Children
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.
Last action
2025-12-31
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H4883
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act fast-tracking adoptions for children in DCF custody

An Act fast-tracking adoptions for children in DCF custody By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act fast-tracking adoptions for children in DCF custody 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.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2025-12-31 House

    Accompanied a study order, see H4883

  2. 2025-07-22 Joint

    Hearing rescheduled to 07/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-03:15 PM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time

  3. 2025-07-11 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 07/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

  4. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

  5. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

Official Summary Text

An Act fast-tracking adoptions for children in DCF custody
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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
×

Bill H.206

Section 25 of Chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following words:- Children in the custody of some suitable person or licensed agency providing foster care for children or the department for not less than eighteen months shall have the right to be emancipated from their biological parents if said parents have not fulfilled court ordered obligations.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Close