Bill > H5024

This bill establishes a special commission within the Department of Insurance to investigate and study providers of comprehensive foster care and child care liability insurance in Massachusetts, with the goal of finding solutions to alleviate financial and other burdens faced by these providers. The commission will be composed of 19 members, including legislative chairs, state secretaries and commissioners from relevant departments like Health and Human Services, the Division of Insurance (who will co-chair), Children and Families, and Early Education and Care, as well as representatives from the Office of the Child Advocate, insurance providers or brokers, foster care and child care providers, and advocacy groups. The commission is tasked with gathering data on insurance costs and claims both in-state and nationally, examining the availability and barriers to obtaining this insurance, researching best practices from other states, soliciting input from stakeholders, and ultimately determining appropriate solutions to address the pressures on foster care and child care providers. The commission must make all appointments within 30 days of the bill's effective date and submit its findings and recommendations to the state legislature by December 1, 2026.

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5024