By Ms. Flanagan of Leominster, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 93) of Jennifer L. Flanagan and others relative to requiring the Department of Social Services to track and report on the use of residential homes  for children in the custody of the Commonwealth.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Jennifer L. Flanagan

Cleon H. Turner

Bruce E. Tarr

Gale D. Candaras

Gloria L. Fox

William Smitty Pignatelli

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act requiring the Department of Social Services to track and report on the use of residential homes  for children in the custody of the Commonwealth.

    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 is hereby amended by adding after clause H the following clause:

Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation, the department of social services shall report quarterly to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the number of children who are placed in residential care by region; the age and gender of the children; the reasons for such placement, including CHINS; the level of services provided at the placement; the length of stay; discharge information; and the disposition of the child’s case;  either to family or community care.  The report shall also include the cost of residential placement by region; and the cost to the department of the return of the child to the family or community care; and any other information the department determines to be necessary in evaluating the operation of state-funded residential homes.