An Act relative to bias-free child removals

This Massachusetts bill requires the Department of Children and Families to create a Bias-Free Case Review Team at each Area Office to evaluate emergency child removals. Before these teams review a case, the department must remove specific demographic details, such as race, income, and location, from case files to prevent potential bias in decision-making. The review process focuses on safety factors and family strengths rather than personal characteristics, though certain cultural or religious contexts may still be considered if relevant to the allegations. Additionally, the department must submit an annual report to a joint committee analyzing how the program affects removal rates for Black, Indigenous, and children of color.