H. 4924 Right-to-Counsel Bill Passed! The Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is excited to share the news that in January of this year the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, legislation that will give certain grandparents/relative caregivers a right to court appointed lawyers in a certain stage of a guardianship case. To see a copy of this legislation H.4924

Under this new statute, grandparents may be entitled to a lawyer in certain revocation hearings. A revocation hearing occurs when one of the parties, such as the birth parents or another party, goes to court and asserts that the guardianship should be ended. In these proceedings, the low-income parents as well as the grandchild have a right to counsel. This new legislation gives low income grandparents the right to counsel in these circumstances. You must demonstrate to the court that you have been the primary caretaker for the child for at least 2 years or “for an otherwise significant period of time”. The judge should inform you of this right, but if he or she does not, you should speak to a clerk and check if you are eligible.

Thank You! We are deeply indebted to all the grandparents and relative caregivers who supported this legislation as well as Commission members and members of the GP Commission Advisory Board. We are especially grateful to Representative Paul Donato who steered this legislation with a very steady hand, as well as Senator Julian Cyr who worked hard to get it passed in the Senate. We are also grateful for Governor Baker's decision to sign the bill.