Budget Amendment ID: FY2022-S3-52-R1

Redraft GOV 52

Screening for Childhood Trauma

Ms. Creem, Messrs. O'Connor, Gomez, Cyr and Montigny moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 46 the following section:-

“SECTION 46A. (a) There shall be a commission on the use of screening assessments of childhood trauma and wellbeing. The commission shall consist of: the child advocate or a designee; the commissioner of mental health or a designee; the commissioner of children and families or a designee; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or a designee; the commissioner of public health or a designee; the assistant secretary of MassHealth or a designee; the commissioner of insurance or a designee; 1 representative from the office of health equity; 1 member appointed by Foster Children Evaluation Services; 1 member appointed by the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the New England Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the Children’s Mental Health Campaign; 1 member appointed by Boston Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnerships; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health; 1 member appointed by the Child Trauma Training Center; 1 member appointed by Massachusetts Alliance for Families; 1 member appointed by Children’s League of Massachusetts, Inc.; and 1 member appointed by the Child Witness to Violence Project. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation. The commission shall consult with parents, youth and other experts and conduct public stakeholder meetings as necessary to ensure that diverse perspectives inform its work.

(b) The commission shall study the use of screening tools, practices and protocols related to assessments of childhood trauma and wellbeing. The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an assessment of the benefits and risks of utilizing available tools, protocols and best practices for targeted or universal screening for childhood trauma for all children; (ii) an assessment of the benefits and risks of utilizing available tools, protocols and best practices for conducting targeted or universal screening for childhood trauma for children entering foster care and throughout their time in foster care; and (iii) a review of existing screening tools used in the commonwealth and in other states. The commission shall make recommendations regarding the manner and circumstances under which trauma screening and assessment should be used with all children in the commonwealth and specifically with children in foster care. The commission shall consult with the childhood trauma task force established under section 14 of chapter 18C of the General Laws to inform their study and ensure alignment on trauma-informed approaches for children.

(c) The commission shall hold its first meeting not later than 60 days after the effective date of this act. Not later than December 31, 2021, the commission shall file a status report on its progress with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives. Not later than June 30, 2022, the commission shall file a report on its findings, including any legislative or regulatory recommendations, with the governor, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery, the joint committee on children families and persons with disabilities and the joint committee on health care financing.".