Bill

Bill > H122


MA H122

MA H122
To establish the changing of determination standard for the Department of Children and Families


summary

Introduced
01/20/2015
In Committee
01/20/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
07/31/2016

Introduced Session

189th General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to the criteria for the removal of children by the Department of Children and Families. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

AI Summary

This bill proposes to change the standard by which the Department of Children and Families (DCF) can remove children from their homes. Currently, the DCF can act if they have "reasonable cause to believe" a child is being abused or neglected. This bill would replace that standard with a much higher bar: "no reasonable doubt," meaning the DCF would need to be virtually certain that a child is in danger before they could remove them. This change aims to make it more difficult for the DCF to intervene in family situations, potentially impacting how child protection cases are handled.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H4613 (on 09/19/2016)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...