Budget Amendment ID: FY2023-S4-498-R1

Redraft EHS 498

Racial Impact Statements for DCF Risk Assessment Tools

Ms. Chang-Diaz, Mr. Eldridge, Ms. Comerford, Ms. Rausch, Ms. Lovely, Mr. Gomez and Ms. Edwards moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 4800-0015, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than 30 days prior to contracting for, developing, implementing or using any risk assessment or structured decision management tool to assess child safety and risk at any stage of the child welfare process including, but not limited to, the intake, investigation or reunification stages, the department shall provide an assessment of the racial impact of using such tool; provided further, that the evaluation shall include whether the risk assessment or structured decision management tool is likely to have a disproportionate or unique impact on racial and ethnic minorities in the commonwealth; provided further, that a report containing the methodology, data and findings from such evaluation shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities and the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and shall be posted on the department’s website”.