Bill > H398

This bill proposes to amend Section 51B of Chapter 119 of the General Laws, which deals with child abuse and neglect reporting, by adding a new provision that makes employees of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) criminally liable for "child endangerment" if they "screen out" (meaning dismiss or fail to investigate) a report of abuse or neglect concerning a foster home or residential placement where the department has placed a child, and this dismissal occurs without referring the matter to law enforcement. In addition to potential criminal prosecution, these employees could also face administrative penalties such as suspension, termination, or revocation of their professional license. This measure aims to hold DCF employees accountable for actions that might put children in their care at risk by failing to properly investigate allegations of abuse or neglect.