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SD 2818

Department of Children and Families Referrals FY2024 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts requires DCF to report comprehensive FY2024 child welfare referral data including volume, sources, and outcomes to improve transparency and accountability.

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Bill Summary · SD 2818

Legislative bill overview

SD 2818 requires the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) to submit a report on referrals received during fiscal year 2024, detailing the volume, sources, and outcomes of child welfare referrals. The bill mandates comprehensive data collection on how the agency processed and responded to reports of child abuse, neglect, and related concerns during that specific fiscal period.

Why is this important

Child welfare referral data is critical for understanding the scope of child safety issues, agency capacity, and system performance. Public reporting on referral patterns helps legislators, advocates, and families assess whether resources are adequate and whether vulnerable children are being identified and protected effectively. Transparency in this area supports accountability and informed policy decisions about child welfare funding and practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Data privacy concerns: Detailed referral reports must balance transparency with protecting the identities and sensitive information of children and families involved in DCF cases
  • Resource implications: Comprehensive reporting requirements may impose administrative burdens on an already-stretched agency, potentially diverting resources from direct child welfare services
  • Interpretation of outcomes: Referral data alone may be insufficient without context about case complexity, worker capacity, and systemic factors, risking misinterpretation of agency performance

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

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