S 2659
An Act enhancing child welfare protections
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, titled ‘An Act enhancing child welfare protections,’ aims to improve the system of care for children in foster care in Massachusetts. It seeks to establish a bill of rights for these children, create an electronic ‘backpack’ containing important information for foster children, expand the number of mandated reporters, and require ongoing training for those reporters. The bill also addresses child fatality reviews and supports families dealing with sudden unexplained death in pediatrics, alongside ensuring compliance with federal education reporting requirements for students in out-of-home placements.
Key provisions
- Establishes a bill of rights for children in foster care.
- Creates an electronic ‘backpack’ to provide information to foster children.
- Authorizes the Commonwealth to expand the number of mandated reporters.
- Requires mandated reporters to complete training every two years.
- Addresses child fatality reviews.
- Supports families dealing with sudden unexplained death in pediatrics.
- Ensures compliance with federal education reporting requirements for out-of-home placement students.
Who is affected
- Children in foster care
- Foster parents
- Mandated reporters (e.g., teachers, healthcare providers)
- Families involved with the child welfare system
- Healthcare professionals
Notable changes
- Expands the definition of mandated reporters.
- Requires ongoing training for mandated reporters.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Families and Persons with Disabilities Joint Committee on Children
Cosponsors
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Bill S.2659 194th (Current)
An Act enhancing child welfare protections
Senate, October 23, 2025 -- The committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 107) of Joanne M. Comerford and Nick Collins for legislation to establish a bill of rights for children in foster care; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 125) of Ryan C. Fattman, Joseph D. McKenna and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create an electronic backpack for foster children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 127) of Paul R. Feeney and Michael S. Chaisson for legislation to authorize the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to establish additional mandated reporters for the purpose of the protection and care of children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 129) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to require that mandated reporters complete training at least every two years to recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 133) of Adam Gomez for legislation relative to child fatality review; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 148) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation to enhance child welfare protections; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 159) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to supporting families dealing with sudden unexplained death in pediatrics; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2585) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to establish compliance with federal education reporting requirements for out of home placement students, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2659).
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote
Bill History
Displaying 2 actions for Bill S.2659
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 11/3/2025 | Senate | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently |
| 11/24/2025 | Senate | Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means |
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