Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Jun. 16, 2011
MBA President Denise Squillante outlines the proposed alimony reform legislation (Bill S.665) at a Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators briefing.
Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Caucus for Women Legislators.
Legislative News
Updates on FY12 budget, court reform and alimony
Despite the slow summer pace of many organizations, the
Massachusetts Bar Association is actively advocating on a number of
big ticket legislative items.
FY12 Budget
The House and Senate, despite the best efforts of the bench and
bar, have adopted budgets which cut funding for the court system. A
joint conference committee is hashing out the differences between
the two documents. The MBA is advocating for the larger House
appropriation of $520.5 million for the Trial Court.
Additionally, the MBA is asking the Legislature to reconsider an
overhaul of the Committee for Public Counsel Services by creating
additional staff attorney positions and reducing the use of
assigned private counsel.
The MBA also supports the preservation of Massachusetts Legal
Assistance Corporation's appropriation of $9.5 million from both
branches. To read the MBA's letter on the FY12 state
budget, click here.
Court Reform
The MBA continues to be actively involved in the ongoing debate
on court reform. The House and Senate both adopted differing
versions. This too is pending before a conference committee which
will craft the final bill. The MBA supports the House version
of the bill, which would accomplish long-sought, systemic court
management reforms the MBA has supported for decades. To
read the MBA's letter to the Court Reform Conference Committee, click here.
Alimony
MBA President Denise Squillante, a member of the legislative
task force charged with studying Massachusetts alimony laws, was
recently invited to address the Massachusetts Caucus of Women
Legislators. She gave legislators an overview of the bill as well
as the history which led to reform.
Following the May 18, 2011 legislative hearing on the alimony
bill, at which Family Law Section Council Chair Marc Fitzgerald
testified on behalf of the MBA, Senate Bill No. 665 was given a
favorable report from the Joint Judiciary Committee. It is
currently pending before House Steering and Policy Committee and
could reach the House floor for debate as early as next week.
To see the bill, click
here.