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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts court empowers judges to order family visitation for frail elderly adults when unreasonably blocked by caregivers
Last action · December 18, 2025: Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S2887Sponsors: Bruce Tarr and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Massachusetts establishes a formal legal process allowing family members to petition courts for court-ordered visitation with frail elderly individuals when a caregiver unreasonably blocks access. The court evaluates the individual's functional impairment, preferences, and best interests, and may order notification of hospitalization, residence changes, or death.
Gives relatives legal standing to seek court-enforced visitation rights with elderly family members and establishes rules determining who pays for court-appointed guardians ad litem.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Frail elderly individuals
Their visitation access, court representation via guardians ad litem, and notification preferences are subject to court determination.
Family caregivers
They may be ordered by a court to permit visitation, notify petitioners of major life changes, and potentially pay guardian ad litem compensation.
Family members
They gain the legal standing to file verified petitions for court-ordered visitation and receive hearing notices.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must a court appoint a guardian ad litem?
Who pays for the guardian ad litem?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
5 actions- Dec 18, 2025SenateAccompanied a study order (under JR10), see S2887
- Jun 27, 2025JointFloorReferred, pursuant to an order adopted by the two branches, to the committee on Aging and Independence
- May 19, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 06/24/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in B-1
- Feb 27, 2025HouseHouse concurred
- Feb 27, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to the committee on Elder Affairs
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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