By Mr. Scibak of South Hadley, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 138) of John W. Scibak and others relative to the establishment of foster care screening and evaluation system in the Department of Social Services.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

 

John W. Scibak

Michael R. Knapik

Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

Anthony J. Verga

Peter V. Kocot

Geraldo Alicea

Kay Khan

 

 

 

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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 An Act relative to medical screening and evaluation within the foster care system.

 

    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. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the Department of Social Services shall insure that every foster child shall be medically screened and evaluated within 14 days of entering the foster care system.  Such screening and evaluation shall adhere to the Early and Periodic Screening and Diagnostic and Treatment standards.  Under no circumstances shall the screening and evaluation take place later than 14 days after the child has been admitted into foster care.

 

SECTION 2. The Department of Social Services is hereby authorized and directed to establish within each of their six established regions an advisory board to help facilitate the medical evaluation process and to recruit physicians, dentists, and mental health professionals to medically screen and evaluate children newly admitted into the foster care program.  Each advisory board shall consist of: 1) a pediatrician, family practice physician, or nurse practitioner, 2) a dentist, 3) a psychiatrist, psychologist, or LICSW therapist, 4) a court representative, 5) a member of the Department of Education, 6) a representative of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 7) a representative of the Massachusetts Medical Assistance Program, 8) a foster parent, and, 9) a representative from the regional Department of Social Services office. The board shall include other members it deems necessary to achieve its mission.

Provided further that representatives from each regional board shall be selected to serve on a statewide task force for the development and application of policies relative to the medical screening and evaluation of children admitted into the foster care program.