Amendment ID: S3111-6-R1

Redraft Amendment 6

Ensuring information management integrity by the office of the child advocate

Mr. Tarr moves that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 32 the following section:-

“SECTION 32A. Said section 12 of chapter18C is hereby amended by inserting clause (e) the following:-

(f) If the child advocate, or the office of the child advocate, elects to withhold a report or components of a report, it shall provide any requesting party with the reasons therefore in writing, which reasons shall also be recorded and available for public inspection; provided further, that nothing in this subsection shall require any action by office which would compromise any investigation or protective measures that could be, or are being, undertaken by the office of the child advocate or the department of children and families.";

by inserting after the word “outcomes”, in line 306, the following words:- “including, but not limited to, maltreatment in foster care and supported allegations of abuse and neglect for children in foster care by placement type.”; and

in section 34, by inserting after proposed section 17 of chapter 18C the following new proposed section:

Section 18. (a) There shall be within the office of the child advocate a youth engagement program, to ensure that the voices and experiences of youth in congregate care and other out‑of‑home placements inform statewide policy, oversight, and program improvement.

(b) The youth engagement program shall conduct not less than 4 youth listening sessions annually in congregate care settings, including but not limited to group homes, residential schools, community‑based acute treatment programs, and other placements serving children in the care or custody of the commonwealth. Sessions shall be facilitated in a trauma‑informed, developmentally appropriate manner and shall ensure confidentiality consistent with applicable law.

(c) The office of the child advocate shall annually compile and publish a youth engagement report summarizing any findings and recommendations. The report shall be submitted to the clerks of the senate and house, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, and the department of children and families, and shall be posted publicly in accordance with section 19 of chapter 66.

(d) The office may consult with youth‑serving agencies, including the department of children and families, the department of mental health, the department of youth services, the department of elementary and secondary education, and the department of early education and care, to facilitate participation and ensure that youth feedback is incorporated into agency oversight and improvement efforts.".