HB 447 (2002): establishing a task force on family law; clarifying that the judicial council is responsible for payment of indigent defense expenses; establishing a committee to study issues related to shorthand court reporting; and relative to the judicial conduct commission and making an appropriation therefor.

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MLA
“HB 447 (2002): establishing a task force on family law; clarifying that the judicial council is responsible for payment of indigent defense expenses; establishing a committee to study issues related to shorthand court reporting; and relative to the judicial conduct commission and making an appropriation therefor.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2002/hb447. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 447 (2002): establishing a task force on family law; clarifying that the judicial council is responsible for payment of indigent defense expenses; establishing a committee to study issues related to shorthand court reporting; and relative to the judicial conduct commission and making an appropriation therefor. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2002/hb447
Chicago
Granite Record. “HB 447 (2002): establishing a task force on family law; clarifying that the judicial council is responsible for payment of indigent defense expenses; establishing a committee to study issues related to shorthand court reporting; and relative to the judicial conduct commission and making an appropriation therefor.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2002/hb447.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-2002-hb447, title = {HB 447 (2002): establishing a task force on family law; clarifying that the judicial council is responsible for payment of indigent defense expenses; establishing a committee to study issues related to shorthand court reporting; and relative to the judicial conduct commission and making an appropriation therefor.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2002/hb447}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 447 (2002)

establishing a task force on family law; clarifying that the judicial council is responsible for payment of indigent defense expenses; establishing a committee to study issues related to shorthand court reporting; and relative to the judicial conduct commission and making an appropriation therefor.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2001-2002
  • House committee: Children and Family Law
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Miscellaneous
  • Chapter law: 250

The Story

It was introduced on January 25, 2001 and referred to the House Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 7, 2001. The committee held work sessions on April 4, 2001 and April 11, 2001. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held work sessions on April 17, 2001, May 2, 2001, May 7, 2001, May 23, 2001, June 5, 2001, September 20, 2001 and October 2, 2001. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it with changes unanimously, 14–0, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 2, 2002 the House voted to pass it with changes. It crossed to the Senate on January 2, 2002 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 6, 2002. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 3548). On April 18, 2002 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On April 18, 2002 the Senate adopted “OT3rdg” on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 25, 2002 the House voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote. On April 25, 2002 the Senate adopted “Sen. Gordon Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote. A committee of conference met on April 29, 2002 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On May 2, 2002 the Senate adopted “Conference Committee Report” on a voice vote. On May 2, 2002 the House adopted “Conf Comm Report” on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on May 2, 2002 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (3788) was adopted to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on May 17, 2002, making it Chapter 250 of the session laws. It took effect on May 17, 2002.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • March 7, 2001, 11:00 AM: hearing, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB
  • April 4, 2001, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB
  • April 11, 2001, 9:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB
  • April 17, 2001, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB
  • May 2, 2001, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB
  • May 7, 2001, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM208,LOB
  • May 23, 2001, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB
  • June 5, 2001, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB <Rep Pantelakos>
  • September 20, 2001, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB <Rep Pantelakos>
  • October 2, 2001, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Children and Family Law, RM204, LOB
  • March 6, 2002, 11:15 AM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, LOB 102
  • April 29, 2002, 12:00 PM: committee of conference, RM206,LOB

Votes

  • April 18, 2002, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
  • April 18, 2002, Senate: OT3rdg — voice vote, passed
  • April 25, 2002, House: Nonconcur — voice vote, passed
  • April 25, 2002, Senate: Sen. Gordon Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
  • May 2, 2002, Senate: Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
  • May 2, 2002, House: Conf Comm Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 25, 2001: Introduced and ref to Child & Fam Law; HJ18, p246
  • February 1, 2001: Copy to Chairman on 2/1/2001
  • March 7, 2001: Hearing Mar 7 11:00 RM206,LOB
  • April 4, 2001: Subcom Work Session Apr 4 11:00 RM206,LOB
  • April 11, 2001: Subcom Work Session Apr 11 9:30 RM206,LOB
  • April 12, 2001: Retained in Committee
  • April 17, 2001: Subcom Work Session Apr 17 11:00 RM206,LOB
  • May 2, 2001: Subcom Work Session May 2 1:00 RM206,LOB
  • May 7, 2001: Subcom Work Session May 7 11:00 RM208,LOB
  • May 14, 2001: ==CANCELLED==Subcom Work Session May 14 9:30 RM208,LOB
  • May 16, 2001: ==CANCELLED==Rescheduled Subcom Work Session May 16 1:00 RM206,LOB
  • May 23, 2001: Subcom Work Session May 23 10:00 RM206,LOB
  • June 5, 2001: Subcom Work Session June 5 10:00 RM206,LOB <Rep Pantelakos>
  • September 20, 2001: Subcom Work Session Sept 20 11:00 RM206,LOB <Rep Pantelakos>
  • October 2, 2001: Subcom Work Session Oct 2 1:00 RM204, LOB
  • December 20, 2001: Maj Report OTP/AM for Jan 2 (vote 14-0;CC)
  • December 20, 2001: Prop Maj Am{2038}(New Title); HC1, p15-16
  • January 2, 2002: Passed with Am; HJ5, p176-177 + 248
  • January 2, 2002: Introduced and Ref. to Judiciary
  • March 6, 2002: Hearing; March 6, 2002, Room 102, LOB, 11:15 a.m.; SC13
  • April 17, 2002: Committee Report; Ought to Pass with Amendment {3548},(New Title), [04/18/02]; SC26A, Pg.24-28
  • April 18, 2002: Ought to Pass with Amendment {3548},(New Title), AA, VV
  • April 18, 2002: OT3rdg, MA, VV
  • April 25, 2002: House Nonconc with Sen Am req Conf Comm, Rep Dowling MA VV; HJ38, p1437
  • April 25, 2002: (Spkr appts Reps: Moran, Mock, J Pratt & Stone)
  • April 25, 2002: Sen. Gordon Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV
  • April 25, 2002: Pres. Appts.; Senators Gordon, Roberge, Fernald
  • April 29, 2002: Conf Comm meeting Apr 29 noon RM206,LOB
  • April 30, 2002: Conference Committee Report; Senate Am + New Am {3710}, Filed
  • May 2, 2002: Conference Committee Report {3710}, Adopted, VV
  • May 2, 2002: Conf Comm Report Adopted VV; HJ40, p1478
  • May 2, 2002: Enrolled Am{3788}(New Title), Am Adopted; HJ44, p1527
  • May 2, 2002: Enrolled Bill Amendment {3788},(New Title), Adopted
  • May 2, 2002: Enrolled; HJ44, p1533
  • May 2, 2002: Enrolled
  • May 17, 2002: Signed by the Governor on 5/17/2002 Eff: 5/17/2002* Chap: 0250
  • May 17, 2002: *Multiple Effective Dates, See Chapter Sec. 17 for additional dates

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court