Session Laws

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Chapter 28A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10 the following section:-

Section 10A. Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, no child shall be placed in a foster home prior to the approval of the home by the office or by any individual or agency licensed pursuant to section ten by the office, except an emergency placement in a foster home limited to relatives or long-term friends of the child's family. Said approval shall include a criminal offender record information check on all persons eighteen years of age or older residing at the home. In the event of any emergency placement, a criminal offender record information check shall be completed on all persons eighteen years of age or older residing at said home within ten working days of placement.

If the result of any of said checks shows that any occupant of said home has a criminal record involving violence, abuse, or exploitation against any person, which bears adversely upon the person's ability to assume and carry out the responsibilities of a foster parent or poses a serious threat of harm to a child, the home shall not be approved by the office, no child shall be placed in said home, and any emergency placement shall be removed forthwith.