Child Welfare Protections Act
On October 22, 2025, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill that I filed, H.4644: An Act enhancing child welfare protections which strengthens oversight, transparency, and accountability within the Commonwealth’s child welfare system. A wide range of provisions were included in this important legislation and I’ve included a breakdown of some of the largest provisions below. The House press release can be found here.
I spoke on the House floor urging my colleagues to vote in favor of H.4644. [Photo Credit: malegislature.gov]
Modernizes the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Statutory Reporting
This legislation makes many improved reporting requirements, including an expansion of the statutory reporting by DCF to include disability and intersectional demographics, breakdowns of 51A reports by reporter role, ADA accommodation and complaint metrics, and refined placement and permanency measures. It also adds new reporting of youth outcomes as they age out of DCF’s care, with behavioral health boarding, individualized education program counts, attendance, and graduation rates.
Clarifies the Independence of the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA)
The bill passed also clarifies the role of the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) as an independent state agency. It further expends the OCA’s authority to examine disproportionality, partner with agencies while safeguarding oversight, maintain a public mandated reporter website, and conduct systemwide reviews of DCF.
Improves Educational Stability for Children in Care
The bill creates a DCF Education Unit, subject to appropriation, to be led by an Education Director and staffed with Education Specialists tasked with academic monitoring, support, and coordination with school districts. It also requires DCF and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to establish clear enrollment timelines and record transfer standards for children in DCF custody who move schools.
Updates the State’s Child Fatality Review Process
In addition, the bill updates the Child Fatality Review System by transferring the leadership to a co-chairmanship of the OCA and the Department of Public Health (DPH). It further updates the membership to include the Department of Early Education & Care (EEC) and codifies the structure of local review teams.
Additional Notifications and Reporting
Lastly, the bill improves timely notifications to children’s counsel following placement changes, hospitalizations, 51A reports or school disciplinary events. It also requires reporting on children who remain in psychiatric care beyond medical necessity, including length of stay and licensure/training requirements for DCF social workers.
Having passed the House 136-23, the bill now goes back to the State Senate for further consideration.