Senator Feeney’s Bill S1102 Will Transform Massachusetts Courts

"HOPE FOR CHANGE💜": Senator Feeney’s Bill Will Transform Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts, Putting Safety and Well-Being First

Foxborough, MA A groundbreaking new bill promises to bring about positive change for families across Massachusetts, ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals receive the support and protection they deserve when they need it most.

Senator Paul Feeney, in collaboration with physicians, attorneys, domestic violence survivors, and disability advocates, has introduced Senate Bill S.1102, the Medical Panels for the Probate and Family Courts. A bill that will empower judges to help make more informed decisions in complex family cases by integrating certified medical experts into the decision-making process.

A Smarter, More Effective Approach to Probate and Family Court Decisions

For families facing difficult legal decisions, whether involving child custody, guardianship, or elder care to have the right resources and insights is crucial. Yet, until now, Massachusetts courts have often lacked the necessary medical expertise to fully understand the physical, mental, and emotional health issues that play a key role in these cases.

Bill S.1102 changes that, ensuring judges will have access to objective, factual, and science-based medical evaluations in cases that involve complex health matters. By providing more accurate, unbiased information, the bill will help make probate and family court decisions more fair, equitable, and just, and most importantly, it will save lives by ensuring that the right decisions are made for vulnerable individuals.

A Bill That Prioritizes People’s Health, Safety, Well-Being, and Best Interests

This bill isn’t just about reforming the court system. It’s about ensuring that every decision made in a family courtroom is in the best interest of those it impacts the most. It focuses on:

• Protecting the most vulnerable including at heart of these cases: children, survivors, elders, and individuals with disabilities, by ensuring that their health, safety, well-being, and best interests is always prioritized in court decisions.
• Promoting fairness and equity by giving judges the expert tools they need to make decisions grounded in medical fact and human dignity.
• Helping families thrive by giving them the support they need to move forward with their lives in a safe and healthy environment.

“This bill will save lives,” said one advocate. “By putting expert medical insights at the center of decisions, we are ensuring that every family receives the best possible care and protection, and that dangerous or harmful decisions are avoided.”

A Collaborative Effort for Positive Change

S.1102 is a product of collaboration among medical professionals, legal experts, and advocacy groups who came together to create a solution that serves the needs of families across the Commonwealth. With Senator Feeney’s and his team's leadership, they have crafted a bill that reflects both expertise and fairness, ensuring that Massachusetts is on the path to building a stronger, smarter, and more effective justice system.

“This bill is a step forward for everyone who needs the support of the courts,” said a domestic violence survivor involved in the process. “It’s about making sure that justice is not just fair, but also informed, with people’s lives and well-being at the heart of every decision.”

A Future Full of Possibilities

As S.1102 moves forward, supporters remain optimistic about the positive impact it will have on Massachusetts’ probate and family courts. By integrating medical panels, the bill offers a forward-thinking solution that will help families flourish and build stronger, healthier futures, while saving lives in the process.

This is hope in action. A new chapter for family courts, where justice and expertise go hand in hand.

Let’s support this transformative bill and work together to make Massachusetts’ court system a place where every family, every individual, and every community can truly thrive, strive, and excel.

The opportunity for change is here and it’s urgent. Support Senate Bill 1102 and help bring this transformative reform to life. Your voice can help make a difference.

Visit: https://malegislature.gov/Bill...

Contact your State Senator and Representative today.

Together, we can help protect the most vulnerable and make probate and family courts stronger, smarter, and more humane.

"HOPE FOR CHANGE 💜"