# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 23A: Children born to inmates of correctional institutions or jails; care and custody

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S23A

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, sec. 23A
- **Heading:** Children born to inmates of correctional institutions or jails; care and custody
- **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 23A

## Text

Section 23A. Any child born to an inmate of the Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Framingham, or of the Industrial School for Girls at Lancaster, or of a jail or a house of correction, shall be accepted by the department, and any child whose mother is committed to the Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Framingham, to a jail or a house of correction, or to the custody of the youth service board, may be accepted by the department. Thereupon the department in consultation with the commissioner of correction or the chairman of the youth service board shall make such provision at said place of commitment or elsewhere for the care of said child as may seem to be for the best interests of said child.

Section 23A. Any child born to an inmate of the Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Framingham, or of the Industrial School for Girls at Lancaster, or of a jail or a house of correction, shall be accepted by the department, and any child whose mother is committed to the Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Framingham, to a jail or a house of correction, or to the custody of the youth service board, may be accepted by the department. Thereupon the department in consultation with the commissioner of correction or the chairman of the youth service board shall make such provision at said place of commitment or elsewhere for the care of said child as may seem to be for the best interests of said child.

## 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)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C119_S23A. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.