H 4017 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to eliminate parental alienation

This bill defines parental alienation as psychological child abuse and requires Massachusetts courts to recognize it as a factor in custody decisions. It mandates educational programs for parents in custody disputes, specialized support services (including counseling) for affected children and targeted parents, and new court training for judges and personnel. The bill also creates standardized definitions for "alienated child," "alienating parent," and "targeted parent" in Section 31B, and requires courts to use expedited procedures for related cases. Additionally, it directs the Department of Children and Families to collect data on parental alienation cases and report annually to the legislature.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Apr 10, 2025 Last action Mar 26, 2026
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
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Russell Holmes
Russell Holmes
DDemocratic
MA
6th Suffolk