Massachusetts · 194th General Court (2025-2026)

H 5629Law

An Act enhancing child welfare protections

Source of recordMassachusetts · malegislature.govLast synced Aug 31, 2026

Chamber

House

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To Governor
Became Law

Overview

This bill aims to strengthen child welfare services in Massachusetts by focusing on improved support for families and increased protections for children. It seeks to address systemic issues within the child welfare system, particularly regarding timely interventions and family engagement. The legislation proposes several changes to enhance the safety and well-being of children in Massachusetts, emphasizing a family-centered approach to care. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more effective and responsive child welfare system.

Key provisions

Increased funding for family support services.
Requirements for more frequent and comprehensive home visits.
Enhanced training for child welfare workers.
Streamlined processes for reporting child abuse and neglect.
Expanded access to mental health services for children and families.
Improved data collection and analysis to identify trends and needs.
Strengthening kinship care options.

Who is affected

Children in Massachusetts
Families in Massachusetts
Child welfare workers
Social service agencies
The Department of Children and Families

Notable changes

Emphasis on proactive family support rather than solely reactive responses.
Increased focus on kinship care as a preferred placement option.

Bill text

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Legislative history

10 recorded actions

Jul 30, 2026House

Reported from the committee of conference

Jul 30, 2026House

Reported on H4646

Jul 30, 2026House

Referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Jul 31, 2026House

Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, the question being on acceptance

Jul 31, 2026House

Rules suspended

Jul 31, 2026House

Committee of conference report accepted - 157 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 261)

Jul 31, 2026Senate

Committee of conference report accepted, in concurrence -see Roll Call #229 (Yeas 40 to Nays 0)

Jul 31, 2026House

Enacted

Jul 31, 2026Senate

Enacted and laid before the Governor

Aug 6, 2026House

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2026

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Vote map

Senate districts

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Nay

Yea

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Recorded roll calls

Geography

Recorded positions across the state.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

Reasons offered for and against this legislation.

Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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An Act enhancing child welfare protections

Progress

Overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Bill text

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsors

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls

Geography

Arguments

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Geography

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls