# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 21A: Admissibility of evidence; qualified experts > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S21A ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 21A - **Heading:** Admissibility of evidence; qualified experts - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XVII / Chapter 119 / Section 21A ## Text Section 21A. Evidence in proceedings under sections 21 to 51H, inclusive, shall be admissible according to the rules of the common law and the General Laws and may include reports to the court by any person who has made an investigation of the facts relating to the welfare of the child and is qualified as an expert according to the rules of the common law or by statute or is an agent of the department or of an approved charitable corporation or agency substantially engaged in the foster care or protection of children. Such person may file with the court in a proceeding under said sections 21 to 51H, inclusive, a full report of all facts obtained as a result of such investigation. The person reporting may be called as a witness by any party for examination as to the statements made in the report. Such examination shall be conducted as though it were on cross-examination. Evidence may include testimony of foster parents or pre-adoptive parents concerning the welfare of a child if such child has been in the care of the foster or pre-adoptive parents for 6 months or more, and may include the testimony of the child if the court determines that the child is competent and willing, after consultation with counsel, if any, to testify. Section 21A. Evidence in proceedings under sections 21 to 51H, inclusive, shall be admissible according to the rules of the common law and the General Laws and may include reports to the court by any person who has made an investigation of the facts relating to the welfare of the child and is qualified as an expert according to the rules of the common law or by statute or is an agent of the department or of an approved charitable corporation or agency substantially engaged in the foster care or protection of children. Such person may file with the court in a proceeding under said sections 21 to 51H, inclusive, a full report of all facts obtained as a result of such investigation. The person reporting may be called as a witness by any party for examination as to the statements made in the report. Such examination shall be conducted as though it were on cross-examination. Evidence may include testimony of foster parents or pre-adoptive parents concerning the welfare of a child if such child has been in the care of the foster or pre-adoptive parents for 6 months or more, and may include the testimony of the child if the court determines that the child is competent and willing, after consultation with counsel, if any, to testify. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 1 Declaration of policy; purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 21 Definitions applicable to Secs. 21 to 51H](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S21.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 21A Admissibility of evidence; qualified experts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S21A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 22 Visitation of family foster homes; removal of child; discharge of child to parent or legal guardian](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S22.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 23 Responsibility of department to provide foster care for children; placement with relatives; funeral expenses; child profile form; extension of support of child until 22 years of age; assignment of support rights; assistance to foster care families; compliance with section 23D](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S23.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 23A Children born to inmates of correctional institutions or jails; care and custody](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S23A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 23B Services to unwed mothers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S23B.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 23C Foster parents' bill of rights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S23C.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 23D Eligibility of child in custody to receive benefits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S23D.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 24 Procedure to commit child to custody or other disposition; notice and summons; emergency order transferring custody; investigation; abandoned children](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S24.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 25 Hearing; custody of child](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S25.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 26 Procedure at hearing; order of commitment; petition to dispense with parental consent to adoption; reimbursement of commonwealth; petition for review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S26.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 26A Registration of interest for foster care placement; criminal record review; fingerprint-based checks; grounds for rejection](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S26A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 26B Grandparent visitation; sibling visitation; appeal of decision to deny visitation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S26B.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S21A. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.