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H 3014

Visitation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gilda Cobb-Hunter and 2 co-sponsors

Mass. H.3014 creates a nonrefundable state income tax credit for pet adoptions: $300 for cats, $500 for dogs in the year of adoption.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3014

Summary of legislative materials filed as “H 3014”

Note: The packet provided appears to contain two distinct bills from different jurisdictions sharing the same bill number. One is a South Carolina statutory amendment concerning unmarried fathers’ visitation rights; the other is a Massachusetts tax-credit proposal for pet adoptions. Summaries of each follow.

A. South Carolina — “Visitation” (amendment to S.C. Code §63-17-20(B))

Purpose

To change the default custody/visitation rules for an “illegitimate” child so that an acknowledged or adjudicated father is entitled to visitation unless the court orders otherwise.

Key provisions

  • Amends S.C. Code §63-17-20(B).
  • Reaffirms that custody of an illegitimate child is “solely in the natural mother” unless she relinquishes rights, unless the court orders otherwise.
  • If paternity has been acknowledged or adjudicated:
    • The father may petition for visitation or custody.
    • The court must award visitation to the father (language makes award mandatory unless the court orders otherwise).
    • The court order must specify frequency, duration, and other conditions of visitation.
  • The mother has a 10‑day window after an order awarding visitation to file a motion to reconsider. That motion must be accompanied by an affidavit asserting the parent (presumably the father) is unfit and poses a risk to the child’s health, safety, or well‑being.
  • Effective on approval by the Governor.

Who is affected

  • Unmarried fathers whose paternity has been acknowledged or judicially established.
  • Mothers of children born out of wedlock (who have a 10‑day procedural opportunity to challenge visitation).
  • Family courts (procedures, scheduling, and factfinding).
  • Children whose parents are unmarried.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • The bill text indicates immediate effect upon gubernatorial approval. It was filed and dated in multiple entries; the version provided is drafted as a statutory amendment.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Creates a mandatory visitation award for fathers with acknowledged/adjudicated paternity, shifting from a default of maternal custody.
  • Puts a short (10‑day) deadline on mothers to lodge written objections supported by affidavit, which may affect how quickly courts must respond and how disputes are litigated.
  • Raises practical considerations about evidence standards for “unfit” claims, emergency protective relief, and child safety vs. parental rights; courts will interpret and implement the statutory standard.

B. Massachusetts — “An Act establishing tax credits for the adoption of cats and dogs” (House Docket No. 1166 / H.3014)

Purpose

To encourage adoption of companion animals by providing a state income tax credit for adoptions of cats and dogs.

Key provisions

  • Adds new subsection (ee) to Section 6 of Chapter 62 (Massachusetts personal income tax).
  • Allows a taxpayer a nonrefundable tax credit in the taxable year the adoption occurs.
    • $300 tax credit for adoption of a cat.
    • $500 tax credit for adoption of a dog.

Who is affected

  • Massachusetts individual taxpayers who adopt a cat or dog during the taxable year.
  • Animal shelters, rescue organizations, and potential adopters (may increase adoptions).
  • Commonwealth budget/revenue — potential reduction in income tax receipts depending on uptake.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Filed/introduced by Representative Bruce J. Ayers (House Docket No. 1166) on 01/14/2025.
  • Referred to the House Committee on Revenue.
  • A hearing on the measure was scheduled/rescheduled for 09/16/2025 (per the action log provided).
  • Related prior filing: similar matter in 2023–2024 (House No. 3658).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • The fiscal impact depends on the number of qualifying adoptions; the total cost could be estimated by multiplying the per-adoption credit by projected adoptions claimed.
  • Implementation will require defining qualifying adoptions (documentation required from shelters/rescues) and guidance from the Department of Revenue.
  • Could increase shelter adoptions and reduce euthanasia/overcrowding, but also creates an administrative claim process and revenue cost.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a side-by-side comparison of the two bills’ timelines and status;
- Prepare sample fiscal-impact estimates for the Massachusetts tax credit under various adoption-rate scenarios; or
- Extract suggested statutory language clarifications (for the South Carolina text) to address timing, evidentiary standards, or safety exceptions.

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

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