H 267 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to provide notice to counsel of changes in a child’s placement and other events

HD 384 requires Massachusetts' Department of Children and Families to notify a child's or young adult's attorney within specific timeframes about key events affecting their care. This includes non-emergency placement/hospitalization changes (5 business days notice), emergency changes (1 business day), reports under Section 51A, arrests, school suspensions, or proceedings that could impact their placement. The bill directly affects children and young adults in state care and their legal representatives. It mandates these notices to ensure attorneys are informed about critical changes to their clients' circumstances. The department must issue implementing regulations within six months of the bill's effective date.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Feb 5, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Feb 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors