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.

The date published is the date the notice appeared in the newspaper and marks the beginning of the 21-day public-comment period, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 3.

Regulations

The Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) proposes to amend its regulations at 110 CMR 11.00 (Medical Authorizations), under the authority of G.L. c. 18B §§ 3 and 7; G.L. c. 119 § 37; and G.L. c. 30A, § 3.

These regulations govern the standards for establishing consent to medical procedures, including abortion, for children in the care or custody of the Department. The Department recommends amendments to these regulations to align with the recently updated consent requirements for minors seeking abortion under Massachusetts law. Specifically, the recently enacted, Act Providing for Access to Reproductive Health Services (“ROE Act”), St. 2020, c. 263, lowers the age of consent for abortion from 18 to 16, and requires only one parent/guardian to consent for abortion in the Commonwealth.
 

Individuals wishing to submit public comment may do so by sending comments to Thomas P. Weierman, Deputy General Counsel, Department of Children and Families, 600 Washington Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111 or by email to thomas.p.weierman@mass.gov on or before April 8, 2022.

 

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