By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved a House-approved bill that prohibits the Department of Children and Families (DCF) from prohibiting placement of a child in a foster home solely based on the presence of any specific breed of dog in the home. The bill also updates animal cruelty and abuse reporting regulation for human services employees or contractors.

Supporters said that currently, DCF is allowed to prohibit placement of a child in a home with German Shepherds, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers.

“This legislation will open the door for seemingly countless additional families to potentially become foster families addressing the great need for emergency, short-term and permanent supportive housing for the commonwealth’s children,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “From my work as the co-chair of the bipartisan Protecting Animal Welfare Caucus and my own personal experience of becoming a pre-adoptive foster parent, I know the power of this legislation.”

The bill needs final approval in the House and Senate before it goes to Gov. Healey for her signature.