08/03/2026
On Friday, the Massachusetts Legislature passed landmark child welfare reform legislation, and we at the Office of the Child Advocate are overjoyed.
The legislation includes reforms to the Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) system, connecting children and families with community-based supports instead of court. These provisions are based in large part on our recommendations and those of the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board, which we chair.
The legislation also strengthens protections for children in state care by establishing a Foster Children's Bill of Rights, requires DCF to issue a plain-language statement of these rights, and protects children from retaliation for asserting them.
It also expands the OCA's ability to review child fatalities and critical incidents, and codifies and provides additional tools to help safeguard the wellbeing and rights of children across the Commonwealth.
With passage of this legislation, the Legislature strengthens child and family services in Massachusetts, prioritizing the safety, health, and wellbeing of children in DCF care.
We are grateful to the Legislature for its leadership — especially Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Speaker Ron Mariano, Senator Robyn Kennedy, Senator Jo Comerford, and Jay Livingstone — for championing this important legislation.
Every child deserves to be safe, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. We look forward to helping implement these critical reforms.
