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Massachusetts · 194th Legislature (2025-2026) · Bill

H 271: An Act promoting the placement of foster children with family members and preventing discrimination against potential foster parents based on irrelevant convictions

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

H 271 is a bill introduced in the Massachusetts House on February 27, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: An Act promoting the placement of foster children with family members and preventing discrimination against potential foster parents based on irrelevant convictions. Primary sponsor: Joan Meschino (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (December 31, 2025): Accompanied a study order, see H4883.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

By Representative Meschino of Hull, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 271) of Joan Meschino, David F. DeCoste and Colleen M. Garry relative to the placement of foster children with family members and preventing discrimination against potential foster parents based on irrelevant convictions. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Joan MeschinoPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse3rd Plymouth
David DeCosteCo-sponsorRepublicanHouse5th Plymouth
Colleen GarryCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse36th Middlesex

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Accompanied a study order, see H4883
  2. 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. Hearing scheduled for 07/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
  4. Senate concurred
  5. Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source