HB 299 (2004): removing judicial discretion to order a divorced parent to contribute to an adult child's college expenses.

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“HB 299 (2004): removing judicial discretion to order a divorced parent to contribute to an adult child's college expenses.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb299. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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BibTeX
@misc{bill-2004-hb299, title = {HB 299 (2004): removing judicial discretion to order a divorced parent to contribute to an adult child's college expenses.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb299}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 299 (2004)

removing judicial discretion to order a divorced parent to contribute to an adult child's college expenses.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2003-2004
  • House committee: Children and Family Law
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Domestic Relations
  • Chapter law: 1

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2003 and referred to the House Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2003. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–6. On February 20, 2003 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 279–66. It crossed to the Senate on April 3, 2003 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 24, 2003. The committee recommended that the Senate send it back to committee. On June 5, 2003 the Senate voted to send it back to committee on a voice vote. The committee held a work session on November 5, 2003. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it. On January 7, 2004 the Senate voted to pass it on a roll call 20–2 and ordered it to a third reading. On January 7, 2004 the Senate voted to pass it. The bill was enrolled on January 15, 2004 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (0098) was adopted to correct technical errors found after passage. The bill was enrolled on January 22, 2004 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on February 2, 2004, making it Chapter 1 of the session laws. It took effect on February 2, 2004.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • February 4, 2003, 1:30 PM: hearing, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB
  • April 24, 2003, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 105-A

Votes

  • February 20, 2003, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 279, nays 66, passed
  • June 5, 2003, Senate: Rerefer to Committee — voice vote, passed
  • January 7, 2004, Senate: Ought to pass Sen. Sapareto/Sen. Kenney — yeas 20, nays 2, passed

The Docket

  • January 9, 2003: Introduced and ref to Child & Fam Law
  • January 21, 2003: Copy to Chairman on 1/21/2003
  • February 4, 2003: Hearing Feb 4 1:30 RM206,LOB
  • February 13, 2003: Maj Report OTP for Feb 20 (Vote 10-6;Reg)
  • February 13, 2003: Min Report ITL
  • February 20, 2003: Passed DIV(279-66)
  • April 3, 2003: Introduced and Ref. to Judiciary
  • April 24, 2003: Hearing; April 24, 2003, Room 105-A, SH, 1:00 p.m.; SC19
  • May 29, 2003: Committee Report; Rereferred to Committee [06/05/03]; SC25
  • June 5, 2003: Rerefer to Committee, MA, VV
  • November 5, 2003: Meeting; November 5, 2003, Room 105-A, SH, 11:00 a.m
  • January 5, 2004: Committee Report; Ought to Pass , [01/07/04]; SC1
  • January 7, 2004: Ought to Pass, RC 20Y-2N, MA, OT3rdg
  • January 7, 2004: Passed by 3rd Reading Resolution
  • January 7, 2004: Enrolled Bill Amendment{0098}, Adopted
  • January 15, 2004: Enrolled Am {0098}, Am Adopted
  • January 22, 2004: Enrolled
  • January 22, 2004: Enrolled
  • February 2, 2004: Signed by the Governor on 2/2/2004 Eff: 2/2/2004 Chap: 0001

Laws It Would Change

From the General Court