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S 127

Catawba Nation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Johnson and 1 co-sponsor

Expands who must report child abuse in MA and requires mandated reporters to complete OCA-approved training within 180 days of designation.

Act No. 60
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 127

Summary — S.127: "Grants legal services to certain small property owners"

(Note: bill text and title concern mandated reporters; summary follows the bill language)

Purpose

S.127 amends Massachusetts child-protection law to (1) expand and clarify who is legally a "mandated reporter" of suspected child abuse or neglect and (2) require those mandated reporters to complete Office of the Child Advocate‑approved, evidence‑based training on prevention and reporting.

Key statutory changes

  • Amendments to Chapter 119, §21 (definition of “Mandated reporter”):

    • Broadens the definition to include any person 18+ who is a paid or unpaid employee, volunteer, or contractor performing functions of listed professions/roles.
    • Explicitly covers persons who either reside in the Commonwealth or perform covered functions for persons whose residence is in the Commonwealth or who are physically in the Commonwealth.
    • Lists and reiterates covered categories, including (but not limited to): medical personnel; school staff and higher‑education personnel; child‑care workers and licensors; probation/parole officers; foster parents; emergency responders; clergy; persons in charge of institutions or facilities; recreational service providers (day/summer camps, youth programs, sports/scouting groups); and public library personnel; also names the Child Advocate.

  • Amendments to Chapter 119, §51A(k) (training requirement):

    • Requires entities employing or engaging mandated reporters to ensure those persons, within 180 days of their designation as mandated reporters, participate in Office of the Child Advocate (OCA)–approved evidence‑based training.
    • Training must specialize in prevention of child sexual abuse, other abuse and neglect, and mandated reporting.
    • OCA, in consultation with the Attorney General, approves the training; training may be delivered in‑person with a facilitator or online.
    • Entities may require periodic refresher training after initial completion.

Who is affected

  • A broad range of adults who work with or around children in Massachusetts: paid and unpaid staff, volunteers, contractors, and supervisors across healthcare, education, childcare, religious organizations, law enforcement, courts, camps and recreational programs, libraries, and institutional settings.
  • Employers and entities that must provide/ensure training for mandated reporters (schools, healthcare facilities, religious bodies, municipalities, camps, libraries, etc.).
  • Office of the Child Advocate and Attorney General (oversight/approval role).

Implementation and timing

  • Training must be completed within 180 days of a person’s designation as a mandated reporter.
  • The law tasks OCA (with AG consultation) to approve curricula and modalities; entities are responsible for ensuring compliance.
  • The bill text does not specify penalties or funding for training; those operational details would be handled administratively or by subsequent legislation.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Expected increase in the number of persons legally required to report suspected abuse/neglect.
  • Likely growth in mandated‑reporter training demand; administrative and fiscal impacts on employers/entities to deliver or procure approved training.
  • Possible increase in reports to child‑protective services; need for capacity planning by child welfare agencies.
  • No specific appropriation or enforcement mechanism included in this text.

Legislative status & history (selected)

  • Introduced: Jan 16, 2025 (Senate docket No. 1887).
  • Referred to Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (Feb 27, 2025).
  • Reported and committed to Finance (Jan 28, 2025).
  • Hearing scheduled: July 8, 2025 (A‑1).
  • Subsequent drafts referenced as S2659 (Oct–Nov 2025).
  • Related/companion: SD 1887 (replaces), S6386 (prior session), A1300 (companion).

Sponsors

  • Primary listed: Leroy Comrie (per metadata). Other cosponsors (as listed): Amy Klobuchar; James C. Justice; Raphael Warnock; Angela Alsobrooks; Cynthia Lummis; Mike Rounds; David H. McCormick; Tim Sheehy; Tina Smith; Nathalia Fernandez; Jessica Scarcella‑Spanton; Rachel May; Anthony H. Palumbo. (Note: bill file also lists Senate petitioners Paul R. Feeney and Michael S. Chaisson.)

If you’d like, I can:
- Extract the exact statutory language changes line‑by‑line;
- Compare this draft to prior-session S.6386 or companion A.1300; or
- Produce talking points or fiscal/administrative implications for affected entities.

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

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