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H 1720

An Act relative to court approved parent education program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Colleen Garry

Requires all parents in paternity cases to complete a Probate and Family Court–approved parent education program.

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1720

H 1720 — An Act relative to court approved parent education program

A concise, reader-friendly summary of the bill’s purpose, provisions, and potential impact.

Overview

  • Bill: H 1720
  • Title: An Act relative to court approved parent education program
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: Hearing scheduled for June 10, 2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Assembly Room A-2
  • Primary Sponsor: Representative Colleen M. Garry (Dracut)

What the bill would do

  • Add a new requirement to Chapter 209C of the General Laws (as appeared in the 2014 Official Edition) by adding Section 25.
  • Provision: Any parent involved in a paternity case must complete a Probate and Family Court–approved parent education program.
    • The program to be used is one approved by the Probate and Family Court.
  • The bill does not specify program content, duration, or enforcement mechanisms within the text provided; these details would be governed by the court-approved curriculum and any regulations adopted thereafter.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: Parents who are parties to paternity cases in Probate and Family Court.
  • Secondary: Probate and Family Court, which would oversee and approve the parent education program; program providers or entities approved by the court.
  • Potential downstream effects on legal practitioners and court operations due to any requirements on litigants undergoing education prior to or during paternity proceedings.

Key provisions and changes

  • Statutory change: Creates a new mandatory education requirement for a specific subset of family law cases (paternity cases).
  • Oversight: Requires the program to be Probate and Family Court–approved, giving the court authority to certify acceptable curricula.
  • Scope: Limited to paternity proceedings (as defined by the bill’s language).

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Introduction and Referral: Filed January 17, 2025; referred to The Judiciary (February 27, 2025).
  • Legislative actions noted:
    • Senate concurred (February 27, 2025)
    • Hearing set for June 10, 2025 (A-2)
    • Additional scheduling noted for June 10, 2025
  • Related legislation: HD 3565 (the bill appears to be the same proposal in a different docket; similar matter previously filed as H 1511 in 2023-2024).
  • Effective date and implementation timeline: Not specified in the text provided; typical enactment details (effective date, transition provisions) would be determined in committee amendments or the final act.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Aims to promote informed parenting and reduce conflict in paternity proceedings by ensuring parents receive education.
  • Could affect court timelines and required participation for litigants; may necessitate resources for program delivery and access.
  • Implementation details (content, delivery method, duration, penalties for non-compliance) would be shaped by the court-approved program standards and any subsequent amendments.

Related information

  • Similar matter previously filed: House No. 1511 (2023-2024)
  • Related bill noted as replacing HD 3565 in the current docket context

If you’d like, I can assemble a side-by-side comparison with the prior version (H 1511) or outline potential fiscal implications based on typical program costs and administration.

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

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