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S 1164

An Act prohibiting discrimination against adults with disabilities in Family and Juvenile Court proceedings

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 3 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill prohibits courts from discriminating against disabled adults in family and juvenile proceedings, ensuring equal access to justice and court services.

Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S2886
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Bill Summary · S 1164

Legislative bill overview

S 1164 prohibits discrimination against adults with disabilities in Family and Juvenile Court proceedings in Massachusetts. The bill ensures that courts cannot deny, limit, or otherwise discriminate against adults with disabilities based on their disability status when they interact with the family and juvenile court systems. This applies to all proceedings, services, and programs within these courts.

Why is this important

Adults with disabilities have historically faced barriers in accessing justice, including being denied custody rights, having their testimony questioned, or receiving unequal treatment based solely on disability rather than actual capability or merit. This bill addresses a gap in existing protections by explicitly applying anti-discrimination requirements to family and juvenile courts, which handle sensitive matters like custody, adoption, and child welfare that directly affect individuals' fundamental rights and family relationships.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Courts may require new staff training, accessibility infrastructure, and procedural modifications to comply, raising questions about funding responsibility
  • Definition clarity: The bill may need clearer guidance on what constitutes prohibited discrimination versus legitimate case-specific considerations (e.g., when a disability actually affects parenting capacity versus when it's irrelevant)
  • Judicial discretion balance: Courts might argue the bill could limit their ability to make individualized decisions based on best interests of children or other statutory factors in family law cases

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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