SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1703        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 275

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Paul R. Feeney

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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 licensed care and financial resource information for parents of newborns.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1703        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 275

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to licensed care and financial resource information for parents of newborns.

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

Chapter 15D of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2 the following section:-

Section 2A.  (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department, in consultation with the department of public health, shall develop a written early education and care informational pamphlet containing resources for parents of newborns including, but not limited to:

(i) information on the short and long-term developmental benefits of quality care and an early education curriculum;

(ii) information on the role of the department in licensing providers and facilities, conducting background record checks and the safety distinction between licensed providers and unlicensed care;

(iii) information on the availability of child care financial assistance for eligible families;

(iv) the contact information for each child care resource and referral agency; and

(v) the website for families to access an online directory, searchable by geographic location, of licensed child care programs across the commonwealth.

(b) The early education and care informational pamphlet shall be developed and made available by the department for publication, printing and distribution.

(c) The information shall be provided to the parents or guardians of all newborn infants in the commonwealth in the birthing hospital, birthing center or in the hospital from which the newborn infant is discharged to home.