MA S865

Bill

Relative to improving training for child advocates to recognize indicators of domestic violence

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation relative to improving training for child advocates to recognize indicators of domestic violence. The Judiciary.

AI Summary

This bill aims to improve training for child advocates to recognize indicators of domestic violence. It proposes that in all child custody cases referred to a guardian ad litem (a court-appointed representative for the child), a domestic violence screening assessment must be conducted. This assessment involves a search of the statewide domestic violence record-keeping system to determine if the parties have a civil or criminal record involving domestic violence. Additionally, the bill requires all appointed guardians ad litem to complete a minimum of 24 hours of professional development training, including at least 8 hours of training on the indicators of domestic violence from an approved domestic violence organization. The bill also allows for formal complaints about the competency of an appointed guardian ad litem to be filed in motion to a judge in camera.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Nick Collins (D),

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see S2496 (on 02/03/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S865

(11 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S865
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S865.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1437	Relative to visitation and family court matters in domestic violence cases	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H1500	Requiring the inclusion of certain civil rights offense information in the statewide domestic violence recordkeeping system	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H1515	Concerning the protection of persons from domestic violence	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H1579	Relative to protecting victims of domestic violence	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H3334	Relative to improving training for child advocates to recognize indicators of domestic violence	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
S137	Requiring domestic violence and sexual assault education for certain occupations	Accompanied S125	Similar To
S2342	Requiring the inclusion of certain civil rights offense information in the statewide domestic violence record keeping system	Accompanied a study order, see S2496	Similar To
S2496	Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on the Judiciary to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to judicial issues	Discharged to the committee on Senate Rules	Replaced by
S619	Providing protections to victims of domestic violence in connection with property insurance claims	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To
S881	Relative to the compensation of a guardian ad litem in a contempt action	Accompanied a study order, see S2496	Similar To
S969	Relative to visitation and family court matters in domestic violence cases	Accompanied a study order, see S2496	Similar To

Bill

Bill Name

Last Action

Type

H1437

Relative to visitation and family court matters in domestic violence cases