H7036

Delinquent and Dependent Children -- Proceedings in Family Court

This bill lists specific state agencies and school districts that are required to cooperate and share information with the Family Court.

Introduced

01/09/2026

Family: Children

Bill Sponsors

Casimiro, Donovan, Spears, Shallcross Smith, Read, Kislak, Speakman, Roberts, Hopkins, and Alzate

Committee

House Judiciary

Last Action

01/09/2026
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Summary

Select

This legislation updates the existing laws governing the Family Court to explicitly list specific state departments and agencies that must cooperate with the court. While the law previously required general cooperation from officials, this bill specifically names the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, all school districts, the Office of Substance Abuse, and the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals. It clarifies that these entities must provide assistance and information regarding children to the court upon request.

When a judge in Family Court has to make important decisions about a child, they need to know a lot of information to make the best choice. This bill creates a specific list of groups that promise to help the judge. This list includes schools, doctors, and people who help with feelings or family problems. The law says these groups must work with the court and share what they know so the judge can help keep children safe and healthy.

Sponsor

Analysis

Pros for Progressives

Enhances the social safety net by ensuring that critical agencies, such as those handling mental health and human services, are legally mandated to coordinate with the Family Court for the welfare of vulnerable populations.
Promotes a holistic approach to child welfare by explicitly including educational and behavioral health data in court proceedings, ensuring judges have a complete picture of a child's needs.
Increases institutional accountability within state agencies to prioritize the needs of children involved in the legal system.

Cons for Progressives

May raise privacy concerns regarding the sharing of sensitive medical, behavioral, and educational records with the court system without explicit consent in every instance.
Could potentially lead to increased surveillance of low-income families, who are disproportionately involved with the specific state agencies listed in the bill.
Might inadvertently criminalize non-legal issues by drawing a tighter connection between social service/educational support systems and the judicial system.

Pros for Conservatives

Strengthens the rule of law by ensuring the judiciary has the clear legal authority to demand cooperation and information from bureaucratic agencies.
Increases government efficiency and accountability by defining exactly which departments are responsible for assisting the court, potentially reducing administrative delays.
Supports the protection of children—a traditional family value—by ensuring courts have all necessary data to make rulings on custody and safety.

Cons for Conservatives

Expands the reach of the court system into local school districts and medical providers, potentially infringing on local control and decision-making.
Raises concerns about the government's ability to share private citizen data between various departments without strict checks and balances.
Increases bureaucratic entanglement by codifying specific inter-agency mandates rather than relying on broader, less prescriptive cooperation.

Constitutional Concerns

None Likely

Impact Overview

Groups Affected

Children involved in Family Court proceedings
Parents and Guardians
School Districts
State Government Agencies (DCYF, BHDDH, etc)
Family Court Judges and Staff

Towns Affected

All

Cost to Taxpayers

None

Revenue Generated

None

BillBuddy Impact Ratings

Importance

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Freedom Impact

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Public Services

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Regulatory

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Clarity of Bill Language

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Enforcement Provisions

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Environmental Impact

Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.

Privacy Impact

Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.

Bill Status

Current Status

Held

Comm Passed

Floor Passed

Law

History

• 01/09/2026 Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Bill Text

SECTION 1. Section 14-1-59 of the General Laws in Chapter 14-1 entitled "Proceedings in Family Court" is hereby amended to read as follows:
14-1-59. Cooperation of public and private agencies.
It is made the duty of every state, town, or municipal official or department, including, but not limited to, the department of children, youth, and families, the department of health, the department of human services, the department of elementary and secondary education, every school district, the office of substance abuse, and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, to render all assistance and cooperation within his, her, or its jurisdictional power which may further the objects of this chapter. All institutions or agencies providing services to any child are required to give to the court any information concerning the child that the court may require. The court is authorized to seek the cooperation of all societies or organizations having for their object the protection or aid of children, and their physical or spiritual welfare; and the court shall utilize the available services of all of those societies and organizations.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.