Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H1963: An Act relative to child custody
Status: Failed, March 26, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. Section 31 of chapter 208 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 2, after the word “otherwise” the following 3 definitions:- “Deployment” the temporary transfer of a member of the Armed forces in active-duty status in support of combat or some other military operation. “Mobilization” the transfer of a member of the National Guard or Military Reserve to extended active-duty status, but does not include National Guard or Military Reserve annual training. “Temporary duty” the transfer of a service member from one military base to a different location, usually another base, for a limited period of time to accomplish training or to assist in the performance of a noncombat mission. SECTION 2. Said section 31 of said chapter 208 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby further amended by inserting the following paragraphs:- A party’s absence, relocation, or failure to comply with custody and visitation orders shall not be considered in determining the modification of a custody or visitation order if the reason for the absence, relocation, or failure to comply is the party’s activation to military duty or temporary duty, mobilization in support of combat or other military operation, or military deployment out of state. If a party with sole …
Sponsors
- John Rogers (D, 12th Norfolk) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
- : Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
- : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
Common questions
- What is H1963?
- H1963 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to child custody.
- What is the status of H1963?
- Failed as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored H1963?
- John Rogers (D, 12th Norfolk).
- Where is the official record for H1963?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1963
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.