By Mr. Atsalis of Barnstable, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 69) of Demetrius J. Atsalis relative to information to be provided to foster childen by the Department of Social Service.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Demetrius J. Atsalis

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to information to be provided to foster children by the Department of Social Services

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    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.        Section 23 of chapter 119 of the General laws, as appearing in the 2004

Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:—

The Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall choose an

individual or group involved in child advocacy, independent of the DSS, to prepare and

make available to each child entering the custody of the department a pamphlet entitled

“My Rights In Foster Care” which shall detail the child’s rights in the following areas:

legal proceedings, foster care placement, visitation with siblings and other family, health

care, education and complaint filing. Said pamphlet shall be prepared in consultation with

the National Center For Youth Law and the Children’s Administration.