Membership Alert:

A WBA priority which would create major reforms in the Massachusetts Guardianship system needs your help.  

H1633/H1652 and S843, the Mass. Probate Code (MPC) bill including Article V ( the section containing the reforms) was favorably reported by the Judiciary Committee and is now in the House Steering and Policy Committee. Article V of the bill would provide elders, minors and persons with disabilities with protections from having their civil rights unnecessarily and unjustly curtailed and from financial and other abuses  by giving them right to counsel, among other protections in guardianship proceedings. The Mental Health Legal Advisors Panel and the Disability Law Center also support this bill.    

Please send calls and letters to your state representative expressing your support for guardianship reforms contained Article V of the MPC (contained in the House versions H1633/H1652 and Senate version S843) and ask for its swift enactment. Ask her/him to contact members of the House Steering and Policy Committee on the bill’s behalf.  If your state rep is a member of this committee, you will have extra influence!

House Steering and Policy Committee with Links to members’ web sites:
Donato of Medford (Chair)
Spiliotis of Peabody
Casey of Winchester
Eldridge of Acton
Peisch of Wellesley
Guyer of Dalton
Sannicandro of Ashland
Welch of West Springfield
Hill of Ipswich
Poirier of North Attleborough

Please urge friends and other folks to take the time to call, email, or write!

To find out who is your Representative : http://www.wheredoivotema.com/