Senate Bill 1102 Medical Panels for the Probate & Family Courts

Senate Bill 1102 Could Be a Game-Changer for Massachusetts Families: Medical Experts to Guide Critical Court Decisions

Canton, MA — May 28, 2025

A groundbreaking bill introduced by Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough) could reshape how Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts handle high-stakes cases. Senate Bill 1102, “An Act Establishing Medical Panels for the Probate and Family Court Department,” proposes integrating certified medical experts into court proceedings to support judges in making more informed decisions involving disability, mental illness, trauma, and chronic illness.

If passed, this would mark the first initiative of its kind in the nation specifically designed for Probate and Family Courts, positioning Massachusetts as a national leader in court reform that centers medical insight and human well-being.

Bringing Medical Insight Into Family Court

Judges across the state are regularly tasked with making life-altering decisions on: child custody, guardianship, and elder care. Often without access to the medical expertise necessary to fully understand the physical, mental, and emotional health challenges involved. Senate Bill 1102 would establish independent medical panels to provide science based, unbiased evaluations, giving judges the tools they need to consider each case in its full medical and psychological context.

“This bill will save lives,” said one advocate. “It ensures decisions are rooted in facts, not assumptions.”

Protecting the Most Vulnerable

At its core, Senate Bill 1102 is about safeguarding the rights and well-being of those most at risk in the family court system:

• Children, whose trauma and developmental needs may be overlooked
• Survivors of domestic violence, who often face invisible or misunderstood injuries
• Elders and individuals with disabilities, whose medical conditions may be misinterpreted without proper context

By ensuring that judicial decisions are based on medical evidence, the bill promotes health, safety, fairness, and equity across all family court proceedings.

Built on Collaboration and Compassion

This legislation is the result of a broad collaborative effort involving medical professionals, attorneys, disability advocates, and domestic violence survivors. Working closely with Senator Feeney, these stakeholders crafted a proposal that brings together expertise, compassion, and justice reform.

“This is about giving courts the tools to protect and support families,” said a survivor who helped shape the bill. “It’s long overdue.”

What’s Next

Senate Bill 1102 is currently under consideration by the Massachusetts Legislature. Advocates are urging residents to contact their state lawmakers and voice their support. They emphasize that the bill offers a vital step toward a more informed, humane, and effective family court system one where every decision reflects both justice and care.

To read the full bill or contact your representative, visit:

👉https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1102

Hope is here. Support Senate Bill 1102 and help make Massachusetts courts safer, smarter, and more just—for the first time in the nation.