Department of Children and Families (DCF) Proposed Amendments to Regulations

The following is a list of notices, by date of publication, for proposed DCF agency regulations.

All persons interested in submitting comments on the proposed regulations may do so in writing by the date indicated in the notice. Refer to the full notice for the mailing address for submitting comments. The Department of Children and Families is not required to respond to comments; however, all comments received by the date indicated in the notice will be reviewed and considered.

Proposed Amendments to 110 CMR 2.00

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Children and Families proposes to amend its Glossary  regulations, 110 CMR 2.00, under the authority of M.G.L. c. 18B, §§ 3 and 7, and M.G.L. c. 119, §§ 26 and 37, and following M.G.L. c. 30A, §3.

110 CMR 2.00 provides definitions for terms used in 110 CMR. The proposed amendment changes the “physical injury” subsection (d) definition from “addiction to drug at birth” to “exposure to harmful patterns of substance use.” The proposed amendments also modernize outdated terms, reorder definitions alphabetically, and replace or eliminate outdated regulatory cites. 

Individuals wishing to submit public comment may do so by sending comments to Thomas P. Weierman, Deputy General Counsel, Department of Children and Families, One Ashburton Place, 3^rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108 or by email to [e-mail] on or before April 18, 2025 by 5:00 p.m.

Individuals wishing to review the current draft of the proposed amendments may find a copy at www.mass.gov/dcf or may request a copy in writing or in person from Office of the General Counsel, Department of Children and Families, One Ashburton Place, 3^rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108 or by e-mail at [e-mail], or by calling [phone].

By order of the Department of Children and Families
Staverne Miller Commissioner

Proposed Amendments to 110 CMR 7.105(18)

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Children and Families proposes to amend its   regulations, 110 CMR 7.105: Standards for Licensure of Foster/Pre-adoptive Homes, under the authority of M.G.L. c. 18B, §§ 3 and 7, and M.G.L. c. 119, §§ 26 and 37, and following M.G.L. c. 30A, §3. 

The proposed amendment modifies 110 CMR 7.105(18) to eliminate the Department’s restrictions on certain breeds of dogs in foster homes to comply with the recently enacted G.L. c. 119, § 26D. The proposed amendment requires compliance with enacted G.L. c. 119, § 26D.

Individuals wishing to submit public comment may do so by sending comments to Thomas P. Weierman, Deputy General Counsel, Department of Children and Families, One Ashburton Place, 3^rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108 or by email to [e-mail] on or before April 18, 2025 by 5:00 p.m.

Individuals wishing to review the current draft of the proposed amendments may find a copy at www.mass.gov/dcf or may request a copy in writing or in person from Office of the General Counsel, Department of Children and Families, One Ashburton Place, 3^rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108 or by e-mail at [e-mail], or by calling [phone].

By order of the Department of Children and Families
Staverne Miller Commissioner