SB 463-FN (2024): expanding access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings.

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“SB 463-FN (2024): expanding access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2024/sb463. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. (n.d.). SB 463-FN (2024): expanding access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2024/sb463
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BibTeX
@misc{bill-2024-sb463, title = {SB 463-FN (2024): expanding access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2024/sb463}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

SB 463-FN (2024)

expanding access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2023-2024
  • House committee: Children and Family Law
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Children
  • Chapter law: 296

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2024 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 25, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 5, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1466s). The committee's amendment (2024-1466s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 11, 2024, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2024-1457s), offered by Sen. Cindy Rosenwald, was adopted on a voice vote on April 11, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On April 11, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 11, 2024 the Senate adopted “Without Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate”. It crossed to the House on April 12, 2024 and was referred to the House Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 23, 2024, with 2 people signed in online: 2 in support. The committee met in executive session on April 23, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 11–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On May 2, 2024 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On May 2, 2024 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held work sessions on May 7, 2024 and May 10, 2024. The committee met in executive session on May 14, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1971h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1971h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 23, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 23, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 30, 2024 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Sharon Carson. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 26, 2024, making it Chapter 296 of the session laws.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 25, 2024, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
  • April 23, 2024, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Children and Family Law, LOB 206-208
  • April 23, 2024, 2:30 PM: executive session, House Children and Family Law, LOB 206-208
  • May 7, 2024, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
  • May 10, 2024, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
  • May 14, 2024, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211

Votes

  • April 5, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
  • April 11, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment s 2024-1466s and 2024-1457s — voice vote, passed
  • May 2, 2024, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
  • May 23, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1971h — voice vote, passed
  • May 30, 2024, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 3, 2024: To Be Introduced 01/03/2024 and Referred to Judiciary
  • January 25, 2024: Hearing: 01/25/2024, Room 100, SH, 09:30 am
  • April 5, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/05/2024; Vote 5-0; CC
  • April 5, 2024: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 04/05/2024
  • April 11, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2024-1466s , 04/11/2024, Vote 7-0; SC 14A
  • April 11, 2024: Committee Amendment #2024-1466s , AA, VV; 04/11/2024
  • April 11, 2024: Sen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment #2024-1457s , AA, VV; 04/11/2024
  • April 11, 2024: Ought to Pass with Amendment s 2024-1466s and 2024-1457s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/11/2024
  • April 11, 2024: Without Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate, MA; 04/11/2024
  • April 12, 2024: Introduced 04/12/2024 and referred to Children and Family Law
  • April 23, 2024: Public Hearing: 04/23/2024 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  • April 23, 2024: Executive Session: 04/23/2024 02:30 pm LOB 206-208
  • April 23, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/23/2024 (Vote 11-0; RC)
  • May 2, 2024: Ought to Pass : MA VV 05/02/2024
  • May 2, 2024: Referred to Finance 05/02/2024
  • May 7, 2024: Division III Work Session: 05/07/2024 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  • May 10, 2024: Division III Work Session: 05/10/2024 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  • May 14, 2024: Executive Session: 05/14/2024 01:00 pm LOB 210-211
  • May 15, 2024: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2024-1971h 05/15/2024 (Vote 25-0; RC)
  • May 23, 2024: Amendment #2024-1971h : AA VV 05/23/2024
  • May 23, 2024: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1971h: MA VV 05/23/2024
  • May 30, 2024: Sen. Carson Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/30/2024
  • June 13, 2024: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/13/2024)
  • June 13, 2024: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/13/2024
  • July 26, 2024: Signed by the Governor on 07/26/2024; Chapter 0296
  • July 30, 2024: I. Section 3 & 5 Effective 08/01/2026
  • July 30, 2024: II. Remainder Effective 07/01/2025

Laws It Would Change

Related Bills

  • HB 535-FN (2024): relative to appointment of counsel for a child who is the subject of a proceeding in a child protection case.

From the General Court