Bill > H233

This bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law (Chapter 220A) focused on creating and supporting Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) and the Massachusetts Children's Alliance. The bill defines key terms, including what constitutes a Children's Advocacy Center as a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary facility that collaborates across agencies like law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, and mental health to provide comprehensive support for child victims of abuse. The legislation formally creates the Massachusetts Children's Alliance as a statewide organization responsible for supporting, funding, and accrediting local CACs, with specific standards including multidisciplinary team composition, cultural sensitivity, forensic interviewing protocols, victim support services, medical and mental health access, case review processes, and organizational capacity. The bill mandates that CACs provide an integrated, coordinated response to child maltreatment that minimizes further trauma to children, ensures efficient information gathering, and focuses on obtaining necessary information to support the child's best interests. The alliance is empowered to contract with state and federal entities, receive and disburse funds, and work continuously to improve prevention and intervention strategies for child abuse cases.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H233