Bill > H4644

This bill enhances child welfare protections through multiple comprehensive provisions. The bill establishes a new education unit within the Department of Children and Families that will monitor student academic progress, provide support to social workers, and ensure timely transfer of educational records for children in state custody. It creates a state child fatality review team and local child fatality review teams to systematically examine and prevent child deaths, with detailed protocols for information sharing and investigation. The bill also mandates more robust reporting requirements for the department, including annual and quarterly reports on various metrics such as case counts, demographic information, placement outcomes, and systemic challenges. Additionally, the bill strengthens notification requirements for children's legal counsel about placement changes, hospitalizations, and significant events, and expands the powers of the Child Advocate's office to review and investigate child welfare services more comprehensively. The legislation aims to improve transparency, accountability, and support for children in the state's child welfare system by creating more structured oversight mechanisms and detailed reporting processes.

House Committee on Ways and Means (House)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4644