Bill > S2395

This bill establishes a Foster Parents' Bill of Rights in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Recognizing the important role of foster parents and requiring the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to promulgate a policy outlining their responsibilities to foster parents. 2. Requiring DCF to provide all prospective and current foster, pre-adoptive, and kinship parents with the Foster Parents' Bill of Rights, which outlines rights such as being treated with dignity and respect, receiving training and information about the child, being involved in decision-making, and having access to social workers and emergency support. 3. Ensuring foster parents have the ability to make reasonable and prudent parenting decisions, receive periodic respite, access their records, and request reviews of DCF decisions without fear of retaliation. 4. Providing foster parents with information about the process for investigating complaints against them and their rights during such investigations. The overall goal is to acknowledge the critical role of foster parents and ensure they have the necessary support and rights to effectively care for children in the state's custody.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2395