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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1703 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 275
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Paul R. Feeney
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to licensed care and financial resource information for parents of newborns.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Paul R. FeeneyBristol and Norfolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1703 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 275
By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 275) of Paul R. Feeney for
legislation relative to licensed care and financial resource information for parents of newborns.
Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to licensed care and financial resource information for parents of newborns.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 15D of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2 the
2following section:-
3 Section 2A. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the
4department, in consultation with the department of public health, shall develop a written early
5education and care informational pamphlet containing resources for parents of newborns
6including, but not limited to:
7 (i) information on the short and long-term developmental benefits of quality care and an
8early education curriculum;
9 (ii) information on the role of the department in licensing providers and facilities,
10conducting background record checks and the safety distinction between licensed providers and
11unlicensed care; 2 of 2
12 (iii) information on the availability of child care financial assistance for eligible families;
13 (iv) the contact information for each child care resource and referral agency; and
14 (v) the website for families to access an online directory, searchable by geographic
15location, of licensed child care programs across the commonwealth.
16 (b) The early education and care informational pamphlet shall be developed and made
17available by the department for publication, printing and distribution.
18 (c) The information shall be provided to the parents or guardians of all newborn infants in
19the commonwealth in the birthing hospital, birthing center or in the hospital from which the
20newborn infant is discharged to home.