AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to forthwith require the department of children and families to report on the safety and well-being of children, therefore, it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:
SECTION 1. Item 1599-1100 of section 2A of chapter 119 of the acts of 2015, is hereby amended by striking out the words “November 15, 2015” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- January 4, 2016.
SECTION 2. On or before January 4, 2016, the department of children and families shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities on any new or updated policies, procedures and guidelines put into place at the department over the last year in order to provide systemic improvements that shall ensure the safety and well-being of children in the custody of the department and in-home placements and shall provide an update on the progress made in each area. The report shall include any performance benchmarks used to assess new or updated policies as well as any procedures the department will take to improve its evaluation of children suspected of abuse or neglect.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect as of November 2, 2015.
Approved, November 25, 2015.