H 269 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act strengthening parenting time plans

HD 388 requires courts to mandate regular parent-child visitation when children are placed in temporary custody with agencies or individuals. It sets a minimum of weekly visits lasting at least two hours, unless visitation would harm the child’s safety. Courts must presume visitation should be unsupervised, only requiring supervision if endangering the child. Suspension of visitation is limited to four weeks without clear evidence of harm to the child’s safety or well-being.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Oct 29, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Joan Meschino
Joan Meschino
DDemocratic
MA
3rd Plymouth