Governor Healey has signed An Act Enhancing Child Welfare Protections into law, marking significant reforms to state systems that impact children and families’ lives. The legislation reflects years of sustained advocacy from youth with lived experience, families, and advocates across the Commonwealth, and MLRI is proud to have supported this effort.
This landmark legislation will strengthen and improve how Massachusetts supports children and families, including:
Reforming the Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) System
The law raises the minimum age for filing a CRA from 6 to 12 and makes services through Family Resource Centers (FRCs) the first stop before a parent- or school-filed case can proceed in court. This shifts the system’s default response toward community-based support rather than court involvement and expands the services that FRCs can provide, while also strengthening confidentiality and record expungement protections for families.
Establishing a Foster Child Bill of Rights
For the first time, state law will guarantee a comprehensive set of rights for children and young adults in DCF foster care – including rights to family and sibling connections, educational stability, identity-affirming care, participation in decisions about their own case planning, and support in transitioning to adulthood.
Extending Protective Orders Beyond Age 18
Abuse prevention and harassment prevention orders (209A/258E) issued on behalf of a child will no longer automatically expire when that child turns 18, preserving their ability to petition the court to extend or make the order permanent.
Strengthening Transparency and Oversight
The legislation streamlines and strengthens DCF reporting metrics and adds new requirements – including notifications on children sleeping overnight in DCF offices. The law also expands the independence and authority of the Office of the Child Advocate, including a stronger role in systemwide reviews and child fatality investigations.
“This legislation represents a substantial step forward in how Massachusetts protects and supports children and families, and its passage is a direct result of many years of persistent advocacy by youth, families, and community partners,” said Rachel Nili, MLRI Family & Child Wellbeing Attorney.
MLRI extends its gratitude to everyone whose voice and experience helped shape this bill, and to the legislators and administration officials who championed it through to passage.