# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 22: Visitation of family foster homes; removal of child; discharge of child to parent or legal guardian > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S22 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 22 - **Heading:** Visitation of family foster homes; removal of child; discharge of child to parent or legal guardian - **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 22 ## Text Section 22. An agent of the department shall visit each family foster home, not supervised and approved by a licensed placement agency, at least once a year and may be authorized by the department to remove a child to its care if, in its judgment, the welfare of the child or its protection from neglect or abuse so require. An agent who is refused entry or hindered in the removal of such child may make complaint, on oath, to a justice of the court having jurisdiction, who may thereupon issue a warrant authorizing the agent to obtain sufficient aid and, at any reasonable time, enter the building designated, and any part thereof, to investigate the treatment and condition of a child found there and to remove the child as herein provided. The department shall take the child temporarily into its care, immediately notify the child's parent or legal guardian and, upon request, discharge the child to a parent or legal guardian. If the parent or legal guardian is unable or refuses to make suitable provisions for the child, the department shall make lawful provisions for the child's care under section 23 or 24. Section 22. An agent of the department shall visit each family foster home, not supervised and approved by a licensed placement agency, at least once a year and may be authorized by the department to remove a child to its care if, in its judgment, the welfare of the child or its protection from neglect or abuse so require. An agent who is refused entry or hindered in the removal of such child may make complaint, on oath, to a justice of the court having jurisdiction, who may thereupon issue a warrant authorizing the agent to obtain sufficient aid and, at any reasonable time, enter the building designated, and any part thereof, to investigate the treatment and condition of a child found there and to remove the child as herein provided. The department shall take the child temporarily into its care, immediately notify the child's parent or legal guardian and, upon request, discharge the child to a parent or legal guardian. If the parent or legal guardian is unable or refuses to make suitable provisions for the child, the department shall make lawful provisions for the child's care under section 23 or 24. ## 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_S22. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.