Bill > H227

This bill introduces comprehensive protections and management guidelines for benefits owed to foster children in Massachusetts. The legislation defines key terms like "Benefits" (including Supplemental Security Income or SSI and Retirement, Survivors or Disability Insurance or RSDI) and "Representative Payee or Fiduciary" (the person designated to receive benefits for a minor child). The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is now required to proactively identify and help foster children access federal benefits within 60 days of entering custody, including screening eligibility, applying for benefits, and appealing denials. When DCF becomes a child's representative payee, they must maintain detailed financial accounting, provide ongoing financial literacy training starting at age 14, and ensure benefits are conserved and used appropriately. The bill prohibits DCF from using a child's benefits to reimburse the state for foster care and mandates careful management of funds to preserve benefit eligibility. DCF must also provide regular notice to the child's legal counsel about benefit-related actions and submit an annual report detailing the number of children receiving benefits and how those benefits are managed. The provisions will be implemented gradually, with full compliance expected 18 months after enactment, and the executive office of health and human services is tasked with developing necessary regulations.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H227