H4656
An Act to preserve family and sibling bonds for children in foster care
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to improve the foster care system in Massachusetts by prioritizing the placement of siblings together whenever possible. It seeks to reduce the number of children separated from their siblings during the foster care process, recognizing the importance of maintaining family connections. The bill intends to streamline procedures and potentially provide additional support to families navigating the foster care system. It also addresses related issues such as educational support and oversight of the foster care system.
Key provisions
- Prioritize placement of siblings together in foster care settings.
- Streamline procedures to facilitate sibling placement.
- Provide additional support to families involved in foster care.
- Address educational needs of children in foster care.
Who is affected
- Children in foster care
- Foster families
- The Department of Children and Families
- The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Notable changes
- Focuses on maintaining sibling relationships within the foster care system.
- May require adjustments to existing foster care placement policies.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Families and Persons with Disabilities Joint Committee on Children
Cosponsors
Aaron L. Saunders
Carmine Lawrence Gentile
Colleen M. Garry
Francisco E. Paulino
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Bill H.4656 194th (Current)
An Act to preserve family and sibling bonds for children in foster care
View Text Print Preview Download PDF
Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Tabs
Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4656
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 10/29/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities |
| 10/29/2025 | House | New draft of H268, H269 and H270 |
| 10/29/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
Similar Bills
H.268 194th (Current)
An Act to keep siblings together in foster care
H.254 192nd (2021 - 2022)
An Act to keep siblings together in foster care
H.259 194th (Current)
An Act relative to educational support for children in foster care
H.197 194th (Current)
Resolve for a foster care liability insurance special commission
H.228 194th (Current)
An Act transferring foster care review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.