Bill > H236

This bill modifies existing Massachusetts law to require professionally licensed mandated reporters (such as teachers, doctors, counselors, and other professionals who are legally obligated to report suspected child abuse or neglect) to complete training every two years on recognizing and reporting child abuse or neglect. The training curriculum must be approved by the Office of the Child Advocate and will cover several critical components, including recognizing signs of child abuse and neglect, understanding reporting requirements, addressing potential biases and cultural considerations in reporting, learning how to interact with families when concerns do not meet the threshold for a formal maltreatment report, understanding how to connect families with support resources, and clarifying the legal definition of child neglect. The bill gives the child advocate the specific responsibility of approving these training curricula, ensuring that mandated reporters receive comprehensive, standardized education about their legal and ethical responsibilities in protecting children.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H236