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HD 2453

An Act regarding families and children in need of assistance

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rita Mendes

Creates a statewide network of community-based family services to keep kids with families in their communities and schools, reducing CPS involvement; funding through appropriation.

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Bill Summary · HD 2453

Summary of House Bill HD 2453: An Act regarding families and children in need of assistance

Overview

HD 2453 is a proposed Massachusetts bill presented by Representative Rita A. Mendes (House Docket No. 2453). The core aim is to create and fund a statewide network of community-based services and family resource centers designed to assist families in need, reduce entry into the child protective system, and support children’s ability to remain in their home communities and community schools. Funding for the network is described as subject to appropriation or third-party reimbursement.

Status and context
- Bill Number: HD 2453
- Title: An Act regarding families and children in need of assistance
- Introduced in the 194th General Court (2025-2026) by Rep. Mendes; filed January 16, 2025
- The text reflects a proposed framework for a comprehensive community-based service system and associated data and reporting requirements.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a statewide network of child and family service programs and family resource centers aimed at delivering coordinated community-based services to families requiring assistance.
  • Enable families to avoid, or reduce re-entry into, the child protective service (CPS) system and allow children to remain with their families in their local communities and schools.
  • Improve long-term outcomes for children at risk of chronic absenteeism, dropping out, delinquency, or other behaviors that impede healing and healthy development.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions (Section 16U)

  • Child requiring assistance: defined in relation to Chapter 119, Sec. 24.
  • Family requiring assistance: a parent, guardian, custodian, or relative meeting certain risk criteria for petitions under child protection statutes.
  • Chronic absenteeism: missing at least 10% of days enrolled.
  • Habitually absent without permission: as defined in Chapter 119.
  • Community-based services: coordinated services designed to keep families together and children in school, with emphasis on avoiding CPS involvement.
  • Secretary: the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Network creation and coordination (Section 16U(a) and 16U(b))

  • The Secretary, subject to appropriation, shall:
    • Establish a network of child and family service programs and family resource centers across the commonwealth.
    • Develop statewide guidelines and standards for an integrated service network.
    • Promote integration with: behavioral health services, local schools, other state agencies, local providers, and health/mental health care providers; include services funded by state programs across agencies.
    • Coordinate outreach, intake, screening, assessment, and referrals.
    • Encourage cooperation among local providers and state agencies.
    • Monitor and provide technical assistance to centers and service providers.
    • Require standard intake screening and assessment tools to identify family strengths, resources, and needs (including mental health, substance use, disability accommodations, housing, food, child care, health insurance, legal issues, education, and child protection).
    • Create a data collection system that protects client privacy, tracks service needs and gaps, and supports fee-for-service or sliding-scale payment considerations. Collect data on services received and outcomes, as well as insurance status and benefit coverage where relevant.

Reporting and accountability (Section 16U(b))

  • Annually, the Secretary must report to: House and Senate Ways and Means; Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; and the Child Advocate.
  • The report must include: numbers served, identified service needs, types of services offered in-house versus by referral, service outcomes, gaps and wait times, client feedback, multidisciplinary team involvement, and referrals to Juvenile Court for child-requiring-assistance petitions following multidisciplinary processes.
  • All data shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, disability, primary language, and age.

Network goals and services (Section 16U(c))

  • Assist families to avoid CPS entry and ensure children remain in their home communities and schools.
  • Strengthen family relationships and connect families with local, state, and federal services to meet basic needs (shelter, clothing, food, health).
  • Provide coordinated, comprehensive services for children at risk of chronic absenteeism, dropping out, delinquency, or related behaviors.

Who would be affected

  • Families requiring assistance and their children, especially those at risk of CPS involvement, chronic absenteeism, or school disengagement.
  • Local schools and school systems as partners in keeping children enrolled and in their home communities.
  • Community-based organizations, family resource centers, and other providers delivering behavioral health, social services, housing, and child welfare-related supports.
  • State agencies (Health and Human Services, Education, Housing) through integrated funding streams and cross-agency coordination.
  • The public, via annual reporting on service provision, outcomes, and gaps.

Implementation timeline and funding

  • The network and associated standards are to be developed “subject to appropriation or third-party reimbursement,” indicating a multi-year implementation contingent on budgeting.
  • Annual reporting requirements begin after establishment to inform lawmakers and stakeholders about progress, outcomes, and remaining gaps.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Aims to reduce CPS involvement by proactively addressing family needs and keeping children in community-based settings and schools.
  • Could improve early identification of needs and more seamless access to a broad array of services (health, housing, education, mental health, legal aid).
  • Data collection and reporting will enhance oversight but require robust privacy protections and clear data governance.
  • Fiscal impact depends on appropriation levels and the ability to leverage third-party funding.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, advocates, or clinicians) or expand sections on funding mechanisms and potential implementation challenges.

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

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