Care & Protection of Sharlene

(concurring, with whom Cowin, J., joins). I agree with the court’s opinion. I write separately to call attention to *774an issue that was not raised by the parties but has a significant impact on the public interest. The issue is whether a judicial hearing on a petition to withdraw life support systems from a child should be closed to the public simply because it takes place in the context of a care and protection proceeding.

The Supreme Judicial Court Guidelines on the Public’s Right of Access to Judicial Proceedings and Records (2000) begins with the following two sentences: “Judicial…