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SD 585

An Act creating an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Fattman and 2 co-sponsors

Creates an electronic backpack for foster youths' educational records, enabling secure, centralized access for authorized educators, guardians, and providers within one year.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 585

Summary: Senate Bill 585 – An Act creating an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records

Quick facts

  • Bill number: SD 585 (Senate)
  • Title: An Act creating an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records
  • Status: House concurred (as of 2025-03-10); referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
  • Introduced: March 10, 2025
  • Sponsor/Primary sponsor: Sen. Ryan C. Fattman (with co-sponsors listed)
  • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71 (proposed insertion of new Section 100)

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to improve educational stability for foster children by creating and mandating an electronic repository—an “electronic backpack”—to securely store and provide access to a foster child’s educational records. The DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education), in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and other stakeholders, would develop, implement, regulate, and maintain this system to ensure ready access to essential educational information for authorized individuals and service providers.

What the bill would do (key provisions)

  • Define key terms:
    • “Department” = DESE.
    • “Foster child or youth” = a child under DCF care/custody or a young adult under a voluntary placement agreement with DCF.
    • “Electronic backpack” = an electronic repository of the foster child’s educational records.
  • Development and implementation (Section 1b–c):
    DESE, in consultation with the Office of the Child Advocate and DCF, must develop and implement the electronic backpack system to support the child’s educational stability.
  • Contents of the electronic backpack (Section 1c):
    Each electronic backpack must include, at minimum, elements such as:
    • Names/addresses of educational providers;
    • DCF case worker contact (if applicable);
    • Grade-level performance, transcripts, attendance records;
    • Individual Education Plan (IEP) if applicable;
    • Educational decision-makers and legal guardian with signing rights;
    • School nurse visit notes, guidance counselor notes, and other administrator notes;
    • Details from best interest determinations (if applicable);
    • Any other education-related information required by the department.
      The electronic backpack remains part of the department’s records for as long as the child remains in foster care.
  • Access (Section 1d):
    The system must be accessible to:
    • People authorized by law to make educational decisions for the foster child;
    • The child’s teachers, school, and school district;
    • Anyone authorized to consent to medical care for the child; and
    • Medical care providers when access is necessary for medical care and not prohibited by law.
  • Interagency collaboration (Section 1e):
    DESE must collaborate with DCF to develop policies ensuring the needs of foster children are met across all school districts.
  • Regulations (Section 1c):
    Regulations on the format and function of the system must be promulgated.
  • Implementation timeline (Section 2):
    The electronic backpack program must be implemented within one year of passage.

Who would be affected

  • Foster children and youth in Massachusetts under DCF care or voluntary placement agreements.
  • Educational providers and districts who enroll and serve foster children.
  • Authorized decision-makers and guardians responsible for the child’s education and consent.
  • DCF and DESE offices, which would administer, regulate, and coordinate the program.
  • Medical providers who need access to educational information to deliver care (where legally permissible).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative action: Introduced in 2025; House concurred on March 10, 2025; referred to the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities for further study.
  • Regulatory development: Requires prompt promulgation of regulations detailing format and function.
  • Implementation window: One year from enactment to fully implement the electronic backpack system.

Potential implications

  • Improved educational continuity for foster youth through centralized access to records, helping schools tailor supports, IEPs, and transitions between districts or placements.
  • Greater clarity for educators, caregivers, and medical providers in coordinating services for foster children.
  • Privacy considerations hinge on controlled access and compliance with applicable laws; the bill explicitly restricts access to authorized individuals and necessary medical providers.

Note: The bill codifies the electronic backpack within Chapter 71 by adding a new Section 100 and emphasizes collaboration between DESE and DCF to ensure uniform policy application across districts.

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

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