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HD 4653

A report of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association (under Section 20D of Chapter 12 of the General Laws) submitting its report on the status of child abuse and neglect cases for fiscal year 2024

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts requires district attorneys to report 2024 child abuse and neglect case data for legislative and public oversight of prosecution outcomes and system performance.

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Bill Summary · HD 4653

Legislative bill overview

HD 4653 requires the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association to submit a report on child abuse and neglect cases handled during fiscal year 2024. This is a reporting mandate rather than a substantive policy change, requesting data compilation and analysis from prosecutors across the state's district attorney offices.

Why is this important

Transparency in how child protection cases are prosecuted helps legislators, advocates, and the public understand system performance, identify bottlenecks, and inform future policy decisions. Regular reporting creates accountability and establishes baseline data for measuring whether the child welfare system is functioning effectively.

Potential points of contention

  • Data collection burden: Compiling comprehensive statewide data may impose administrative costs on already-stretched DA offices without additional funding
  • Definitional ambiguity: The report may lack standardized definitions across jurisdictions, making comparisons difficult (e.g., what constitutes "case closure," timelines, outcomes)
  • Limited scope: A single-year snapshot may obscure trends; critics might argue annual reporting is insufficient or that the report should include recommendations for systemic improvements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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