HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1231 FILED ON: 1/18/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 107
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Shaunna L. O'Connell
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to establishing a commission on child welfare and safety.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Shaunna L. O'Connell | 3rd Bristol | 1/18/2017 |
David F. DeCoste | 5th Plymouth | 1/24/2017 |
Geoff Diehl | 7th Plymouth | 2/3/2017 |
James J. Dwyer | 30th Middlesex | 1/26/2017 |
Bruce E. Tarr | First Essex and Middlesex | 2/3/2017 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1231 FILED ON: 1/18/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 107
By Mrs. O'Connell of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 107) of Shaunna L. O'Connell and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to study the child welfare system in the Commonwealth. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)
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An Act relative to establishing a commission on child welfare and safety.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, there is hereby established a commission to study the child welfare system in the commonwealth. The commission shall study and investigate, but not be limited to, (1) defining the best interest of the child; (2) collaboration and communication between various agencies, departments, and the judicial system relating to child welfare; (3) oversight and accountability in the child welfare system; (4) funding; (5) family support programs; (6) foster care system; (7) DCF policies and staff training; (8) and technology.
The commission shall consist of the following members: five persons to be appointed by the governor, one who shall serve as the chair, one who shall serve as co-chair, one of whom shall be a current foster parent, one of whom shall be an adoptive foster parent, and a former foster children; one member of the senate to be appointed by the senate president; one member of the senate to be appointed by the senate minority leader; one member of the house to be appointed by the speaker; one member of the house to be appointed by the minority leader; the commissioner of DCF, or appointed representative; the Office of the Child Advocate; a representative of SEIU Local 509; the Court Administrator, or appointed representative; the Commissioner of Probation, or appointed representative; a representative of the Children’s Welfare League of Massachusetts; a representative of Friends of Children; Massachusetts Elementary School Principals Association; a representative of CASA; and a representative of the Children’s Trust Fund.
The commission shall convene no later than four weeks after the passage of this act. The commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations with the clerks of the house and senate by April 1, 2018.