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
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Joan Meschino
DDemocratic
Co
Colleen Garry
DDemocratic
Co
Patrick Kearney
DDemocratic
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