By Mr. Atsalis of Barnstable, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 72) of Demetrius J. Atsalis relative to establishing a hotline for the use of foster children reporting cases of abuse or mistreatment.  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 establishing a toll free hotline for the use of foster children reporting cases of abuse or mistreatment.

    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.  Chapter 12 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004

Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 11L the following

section:—

            Section 11M. The department of the attorney general, in cooperation with the

department of state police, shall establish and maintain a toll-free hotline, so-called, to

receive calls from children being provided foster care by the department of social

services in any type of setting. The state police shall forthwith investigate any charges of

abuse or mistreatment. All information received shall be considered confidential but may

be shared with appropriate public officers and agencies.