MA H2037

Grants tax filing extensions to domestic abuse victims who filed joint returns with their abuser, when abuse is documented by a court, law enforcement, or DCF within the preceding 12 months

Provides MassHealth coverage for up to 12 months to abuse victims and their minor children regardless of income or assets, when they shared health insurance with their abuser

Requires professionally licensed mandated reporters to complete evidence-based training on recognizing and reporting child abuse or neglect every 2 years

Expands paid family and medical leave eligibility to include caring for oneself or a minor child following a documented determination of domestic abuse

Strengthens child custody protections by prohibiting courts from placing an abused child in any form of custody with the abusive parent, and deems name change petitions for abused children sharing a surname with their abuser to be in the public interest