By Ms. Flanagan of Leominster, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 94) of Jennifer L. Flanagan and others for legislation to establish caseload rates at the Department of Social Services.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Jennifer L. Flanagan

Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

Jennifer M. Callahan

Christine E. Canavan

Stephen L. DiNatale

Rachel Kaprielian

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act to establish caseload rates at the Department of Social Services.

    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 7(a) of Chapter 18B of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by removing the words "establish reasonable caseload rates and report the same to the General Court in the budget estimates of the Department" and inserting in its place the following:

"ensure that no social worker will carry a caseload in excess of the standards set forth by the Child Welfare League of America and shall request the same in the Department's budget request to the General Court."

SECTION 2. Section 12(5) of Chapter 18B is amended by inserting at the end of the first sentence, "Said budget shall be consistent with caseload standards established by the Child Welfare League of America."