by Rep. Marc Lombardo
As you may be aware, I am the Sponsor of H.1469, an act entitled “Justina’s Law.” As a father, I was moved when I saw Lou Pelletier on TV pleading for help in getting his daughter released from Massachusetts DCF custody. What Justina and her family got caught up in is nothing short of a tragedy.
I immediately came to help the Pelletier family to get Justina released from DCF custody. I made a lot of noise, I garnered support from colleagues like Representative Jim Lyons, we met with the administration, and we made sure the public knew Justina’s story and expressed their anger. A few months later, Justina was
released from DCF custody, but sadly the damage that was done to her due to the lack of care may be irreparable.
My bill, “Justina’s Bill,” will ensure that no child, no family, who is following the medical advice of a licensed practitioner in good faith, can ever become the subject of a tug of war between rival medical facilities and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
My bill will ensure that PARENTS have the right to make medical decisions for their children.
In regards to an update on the bill, on June 24, Lou Pelletier and his daughter Jennifer joined me at the State House to testify on behalf of H.1469. The Joint Judiciary Committee has not made a recommendation on the bill yet. I encourage you to call the Chairmen of the committee to ask for a favorable passage to the bill.
Thank you for your continued support.
Marc Lombardo www.marclombardo.com
CONTACTING LEGISLATORS – BROADSIDE NOTE:
Representative Marc Lombardo sponsored H.1469, called “Justina’s Law,” to make sure that what happened to Justina Pelletier never happens again in this state. In late June, Lou Pelletier and his daughter Jennifer joined Marc and others at the State House to testify before the Joint Judiciary Committee in favor of the bill. To date, the bill has not been voted on one way or another by the committee. Marc has asked us to call the chairmen of the committee, William Brownsberger and John Fernandes, and ask them for a favorable passage of the bill. You can read the bill here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H1469.
JOINT JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
SENATE:
William Brownsberger (Chair)
617-722-1280
John Keenan (Vice Chair) –
617-722-1494
Sonia Chang-Diaz –
617-722-1673
Patricia Jehlen –
617-722-1578
Cynthia Creem –
617-722-1639
Richard Ross –
617-722-1555
HOUSE:
John Fernandes (Chair) –
617-722-2396
Claire Cronin (Vice Chair) –
617-722-2396
Colleen Garry –
617-722-2380
John Velis –
617-722-2582
Michael Day –
617-722-2582
Paul Tucker –
617-722-2400
Jim Lyons –
617-722-2460
Jeffrey Roy –
617-722-2020
Evandro Carvalho –
617-722-2460
Carlos Gonzalez –
617-722-2080
Sheila Harrington –
617-722-2305