CPCS Legislative Advocacy Has Begun for the 2017-2018 Session
Prior to the 2017-2018 Legislative Session CPCS reached out to a number of State Senators and Representatives to request their sponsorship of 43 bills that would impact the work of each CPCS Division. These bills were arrived at from suggestions made by the heads of each CPCS Division in consultation with members of their staff. The bills are:
Administration: S.1410 – Retirement Parity for CPCS staff, S.843 – Privileged Communications (Mandated Reporter Exemption for Social Workers who Are Part of Attorney’s Legal Team).
Mental Health: H.2343 –Health Care Proxies, H.2345 – Mental Health Appeals, H.2346 – Right to Counsel for Guardianships, H.2406 – Civil Commitment of Mentally Ill Persons to Bridgewater, H.2408 – Temporary Involuntary Hospitalizations, H.2409 – Clarifying that Facilities Shall Advise Clients of Right to Counsel, and H.2410 – Commitment Hearings at Court Houses.
Defender: H.3126 – Expungement of Records of Persons Falsely Accused and various other Expungement Bills for both Juveniles and Adults, S.757, S.758, H.756, S.944, H.2309, S.845, S.760 – Diversion, S.810 – Preservation of Appellate Rights, S.830 – Adjusting Credit on Days Imprisoned for Nonpayment of Fines, S.877 – Wrongful Conviction, and S.1285 – Establish a Forensic Commission.
Defender/Sex Offender: H.2324 – Require Immediate Registration of Sex Offenders, H.3067 – Remove Kidnapping from Definition of Sexual Offense, H.3261 – Study on Sexual Recidivism, and H.3068 – Data Collection by SORB.
Defender/Sex Offender/YAD: H.3065 – Consensual Adolescent Sexual Activity (Stat Rape/Romeo & Juliet), H.3066 – Juveniles Accused of Sexual Offenses to Not Have Information Disseminated, and H.3583 – Removing Youthful Offenders and Juveniles from the Definition of Sex Offender.
YAD: H.754 and S.817 – Parent-Child Privilege, H.755 and S.29 – Diversion, S.759 – Civil Infractions for Juveniles, and various Expungement Bills (see above).
CAFL: H.2800 – Notice to Counsel of Changes in a Child’s or a Young Adult’s Placement and Other Events, H.3103 – Appointment of Court Investigators and the Admissibility of Certain Reports in Care and Protection Cases, H.3104 – Court Review of Case Plans, H.3105 – Definition of Custody in Protection and Care of Children Proceedings, H.3106 – Accelerate a Child’s Reunification with Family Members, H.3107 – Eliminate Unnecessary Time in Forster Care, H.3108 – Ensure Fairness in Care and Protection Proceedings, H.3109 – Make Court Custody Orders Fully Enforceable, H.3111 –Protect the Interests of Children Who Are Subjects of Restraining Orders, S.75 –Keep Siblings Together in Foster Care, and S.945 – Rescinding an Order Terminating Parental Rights.
For a copy of the bills visit: https://malegislature.gov/.