Budget Amendment ID: FY2022-S3-538

EHS 538

DCF Assessment Tool

Ms. Lovely, Ms. Rausch, Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section XX the following section:-

SECTION XXX. Chapter 119 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 25 the following section:-

Section 25A. The department, prior to returning a child to the parent, legal guardian or other custodian who had custody of the child prior to the filing of a court action, shall complete an assessment of safety and risk using a research or analytical based or actuarial tool. This tool is to be utilized prior to the child's return and as a support in the department's decision-making on returning the child to the parent, legal guardian or other custodian who had custody of the child prior to the filing of an action under sections 23, 24, 25 or 39E of this chapter. The tool is to assist in safeguarding that such placement is in the child's best interest and promotes the child's safety, permanency and wellbeing.