By Mr. Atsalis of Barnstable, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 68) of Demetrius J. Atsalis relative to requiring the Department of Social Services to provide an infomation and procedure handbook.  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 requiring the Department of Social Services to provide certain information in care and protection proceedings

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    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.  Chapter 18B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 6A the following section:—
            Section 6B. The department shall develop a handbook explaining in detail the process involved in the protection and care of children proceedings including but not be limited to the guidelines and procedures of the department and the legal rights of all parties to such proceedings. Such handbook shall be given, at no cost, to all parties or the representatives or agents in such proceedings at the initial contact.