By Bob Katzen

The House 159-1, approved and sent to the Senate a proposal that supporters say would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability within the state’s child welfare system.

Provisions include consolidating reporting by the Department of Children and Families (DCF); clarifying the independence of the Office of the Child Advocate; improving educational stability for children in care; and providing for the creation of a state child fatality review team.

“Every child in Massachusetts deserves safety, stability and opportunity,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This bill strengthens oversight, improves coordination between agencies and ensures that children in state care receive the support that they need to thrive.”

“This bill strengthens the systems that protect the commonwealth’s most vulnerable children,” said Rep. Jay Livingstone (D-Boston), House Chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “It gives DCF, the Legislature and the public more tools to better understand what’s working, identify where improvement is needed and continue improving outcomes for children.”

“DCF is being weaponized against potential foster parents of Christian faith and laws are beginning to encroach on religious freedom,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver) the only member who voted against the measure. “Buried in this legislation is a requirement for gender affirming care. We should be moving away from this practice and moving toward gender confirming care. Gender dysphoria is still a mental health problem that children need help navigating through and toward a healthy lifestyle. Foster children are our most vulnerable children and they need our protection.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes