By Bob Katzen
House 156-0, Senate 40-0, approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that supporters say would guarantee certain basic rights for children in foster care related to their safety, education and health care. They argued that the measure safeguards the wellbeing of children, especially those in state care and foster care; increases access to community support for children at risk of court involvement; and strengthens the Office of the Child Advocate to support robust investigations into reports of harm or abuse to a child.
A key provision would expand the diversion of children dealing with behavior or attendance problems to Family Resource Centers (FRCs) instead of the court system. Supporters note that FRCs provide accessible, confidential support to children and families in crisis close to home and have proven successful in helping kids and teens stay in school, connecting families with services such as mental health or substance use treatment, housing aid and legal help.
Other provisions include creating a Foster Child Bill of Rights to clarify and protect the basic rights and services foster children need to live healthy, safe and fulfilled lives; codifying a Youth Engagement program to ensure the voices of youth are included to inform relevant policy, oversight and programs; allowing a child the same ability as an adult to petition the court to extend any abuse or harassment protection order made on behalf of the child; tasking the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) with supporting families and caregivers by providing training materials to mandated reporters and individuals who frequently work with children; and with creating and maintaining a list of resources for grieving parents who have experienced a sudden unexplained pediatric death.
“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 provides new tools to schools, courts and child welfare agencies to improve educational, health and safety outcomes for our most vulnerable children. The bill also mandates more public reporting to better understand what’s working and identify where improvement is needed.”
“This legislation reflects our shared responsibility to the children of the commonwealth — especially those who have experienced abuse, entered foster care or are navigating crises,” said Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “It affirms that every child deserves not only protection, but support, stability, dignity and the opportunity to build the future they deserve. This bill makes meaningful, systemwide improvements — from establishing a Foster Child Bill of Rights to strengthening education continuity, family supports and accountability. It makes our child welfare system more responsive, transparent and compassionate.”
“The bill finalized by the Legislature today makes important changes to improve the efficiency, transparency, accountability and performance of the Department of Children and Families, the Office of the Child Advocate and the Children Requiring Assistance systems.” said Sen. Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. “These long-needed improvements to our child welfare ecosystem have passed today because of the tireless work of so many. Because of their efforts, Massachusetts will be a better place for our children to learn and grow. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to make policy that helps all the children of the commonwealth thrive.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes