By Mr. Atsalis of Barnstable, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 67) of Demetrius J. Atsalis relative to videotaping testimony of children in the custody of the Department of Social Services.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Demetrius J. Atsalis

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to videotaping testimony of children in custody of the Department of Social Services.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Section 24 of chapter 119 of the General laws, as appearing in the 2004

Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:—

            Any interviews of the child conducted while he is in the custody of the

department shall be videotaped and made available to all parties and the court at the

hearing conducted under the provisions of section 25.