Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 218, § 59 (2026)

Powers, duties and procedure; jurisdiction

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 59. Except as otherwise provided by law, the divisions of the juvenile court department shall have and exercise, within their respective jurisdictions, the same powers, duties, and procedure as the divisions of the district court department; and all laws relating to district courts or municipal courts in their respective counties or officials thereof or proceedings therein, shall, so far as applicable, apply to said divisions of the juvenile court department.

The divisions of the juvenile court department shall also have jurisdiction in equity concurrent with the supreme judicial court and with the superior court department in all cases and matters arising under the provisions of chapters 119 and 210.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 10 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1974–2026 · leading case: Sch. Comm. of Worcester v. Worcester Div. of Juv. Court Dep't, 410 Mass. 831 (Mass. 1991).

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Sch. Comm. of Worcester v. Worcester Div. of Juv. Court Dep't, 410 Mass. 831 (Mass. 1991). · cites it 5× “119, § 39G, or, alternatively, by G. L. c. 218, § 59 (1990 ed.). We do not agree.”

State Bd. of Ret. v. Bulger, 843 N.E.2d 603 (Mass. 2006). “” See G. L. c. 218, § 59. A clerk also administers oaths to witnesses.”

Thaddeus & Others v. Sec'y of the Exec. Off. of Health & Human Servs. & Another., 193 N.E.3d 472 (Mass. App. Ct. 2022). “See G. L. c. 218, § 59 (Superior Court and Juvenile Court have concurrent equity jurisdiction over care and protection proceedings).”

Victor V. v. Commonwealth, 672 N.E.2d 529 (Mass. 1996). “Specifically, G. L. c. 218, § 59 (1994 ed.), provides that “[ejxcept as otherwise provided by law, the divisions of the juvenile court department shall have and exercise, within their respective jurisdictions, the same powers, duties, and procedure as the divisions of the…”

Care & Prot. of Jeremy, 646 N.E.2d 1029 (Mass. 1995). “The provision cannot logically be read to contain a broad grant of authority to a judge to impose conditions or limitations on the department’s exercise of its custodial powers.”

Commonwealth v. White (No. 1), 311 N.E.2d 543 (Mass. 1974). “” G.L. c. 218, § 59, as *306 amended by St.”

S.M. v. M.P. (Mass. App. Ct. 2017). · cites it 2× “While the Juvenile Court Department has jurisdiction in equity in all matters arising under the provisions of chapters 119 and 210 of the General Laws, see G. L. c. 218, § 59, the sole remedy for the breach of a court-approved agreement (an open adoption agreement) for…”

Care & Prot. of Jaylen (Mass. 2024). “12 See G. L. c. 218, § 59 (setting forth Juvenile Court's jurisdiction over cases arising under G.”

ADOPTION OF ADRIAN (& a Companion Case). (Mass. App. Ct. 2025). “119, §§ 24, 26 (b) (4); G. L. c. 218, § 59; G. L. c. 209B; and G.”

Adoption of Zula (Mass. App. Ct. 2026). “In connection with DCF's petition to adjudicate Zula in need of care and protection, the Juvenile Court has jurisdiction to hear 9 Because we hold that the General Laws explicitly give the Juvenile Court jurisdiction over the matters raised in this appeal, we need not address…”

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