Bill > S45

This bill aims to strengthen the protection and support for children in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Requiring the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to implement a standardized online training program for all mandated reporters to improve the recognition and reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. 2. Establishing a child abuse and neglect expert review panel to examine cases of repeated entry into DCF's caseload and make recommendations to protect children and improve policies. 3. Allowing children removed from their homes and placed in DCF custody to remain in their school of origin, unless it is not in the child's best interest. 4. Imposing a fine on foster home licensees who fail to notify DCF of changes in household status. 5. Requiring DCF to consider the appropriateness of a child's educational placement and ensure educational stability during foster care placements. 6. Enhancing training requirements for foster parents and kinship caregivers, including on topics such as child abuse prevention, caring for substance-exposed infants, and cultural sensitivity. 7. Establishing rights and protections for foster parents, including access to caseworkers, involvement in decision-making, and grievance procedures. 8. Requiring DCF to create an "electronic backpack" to maintain the educational records of children in foster care. 9. Providing specialized training for foster parents and kinship caregivers of children with special needs, including the impact of attachment losses and the needs of substance-exposed newborns. The bill also establishes a commission to study and make recommendations for an independent foster care review system, and requires the Office for Refugees and Immigrants to assess the need for and provide recommendations to improve access to culturally competent services across various state agencies.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S45