Bill > H4594

This bill enhances the background record check procedures of the Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Expanding DEEC's authority to conduct background checks on adoption and foster placement agencies it licenses. 2. Requiring fingerprint-based criminal history checks for all current and prospective employees, interns, and volunteers in DEEC-licensed, approved, or funded programs, as well as individuals with unsupervised access to children in those programs. 3. Allowing DEEC and adoption/foster placement agencies to access sex offender registry information to evaluate applicants and current caregivers. 4. Streamlining the background check process and allowing for "provisional status" hiring in certain cases pending completion of the full background check. 5. Establishing a fund to cover the costs of the fingerprint-based checks. 6. Providing an opportunity for individuals to address any disqualifying information during DEEC's review process. The bill aims to strengthen child protection measures by enhancing background check requirements for individuals working with or having access to children in early education and care settings, as well as adoption and foster placement agencies.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4594