Bill > H235

This bill establishes a comprehensive bill of rights for children in foster care within the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), detailing extensive protections and guarantees across seven key areas: safety and security, connections to family and identity, health care, education and social connections, resources and supports, transition to adulthood, and legal remedies. The bill requires DCF to create and distribute a clear, accessible document explaining these rights to children, their parents, foster parents, and attorneys, ensuring the rights are translated into the child's language and posted in visible locations. Key provisions include guaranteeing children's rights to dignity, non-discrimination, safety, maintaining cultural and gender identity, access to family connections, appropriate healthcare, educational stability, participation in case planning, access to personal documents, and comprehensive support during transition to adulthood. The bill mandates that children have the right to be informed about their case, participate in decision-making processes, receive support services, and have legal recourse if their rights are violated. Notably, the bill emphasizes protecting children's individuality, ensuring placement stability, maintaining sibling connections, and providing robust support for youth aging out of the foster care system, with specific protections for children aged 14 and older. The legislation also requires an annual report detailing complaints and alleged rights violations, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing accountability and improvement in foster care services.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H235