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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2045 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 197
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James C. Arena-DeRosa
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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
resolve:
Resolve for a foster care liability insurance special commission.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James C. Arena-DeRosa8th Middlesex1/15/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2045 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 197
By Representative Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No.
197) of James C. Arena-DeRosa for an investigation by a special commission (including
members of the General Court) relative to providers of comprehensive foster care in the
Commonwealth in obtaining and maintaining foster care liability insurance. Children, Families
and Persons with Disabilities.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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Resolve for a foster care liability insurance special commission.
1 Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established for the purposes of making an
2investigation and study relative to providers of comprehensive foster care in the Commonwealth,
3contracted by the Department of Children and Families, in obtaining and maintaining the costs
4and additional burdens, such as administrative and programmatic, in obtaining and maintaining
5foster care liability insurance.
6 The Commission shall consist of the following members or their designees:
7 the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities or
8their designees, who will serve as chairs;
9 the Secretary of Health and Human Services or a designee;
10 the Commissioner of the Division of Insurance or a designee;
11 the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families or a designee; 2 of 3
12 the Chair of the Foster Care Caucus or their designee;
13 a representative from the Office of the Child Advocate;
14 a representative of insurance provider(s) of foster care liability insurance in the state of
15Massachusetts;
16 a representative from two providers of comprehensive foster care, appointed by the
17Children’s League of Massachusetts;
18 a representative from the Children’s League of Massachusetts or a designee;
19 3 members to be appointed by the Chairs as recommended by the Children’s League of
20Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a family member of a child or adolescent who has or is
21receiving comprehensive foster care services; and 1 of whom shall be an individual who has
22served as a comprehensive foster care parent. In making appointments, to the maximum extent
23feasible, ensure that the Commission represents a broad distribution of diverse perspectives and
24geographic regions.
25 The Commission shall: (i) compile data concerning the cost of insurance liability for
26foster care providers in Massachusetts and nationally, (ii) recent data on in-state and out-of-state
27insurance claims for comprehensive foster care providers; (iii) examine the current availability
28of, and barriers to obtaining, foster care liability insurance; (iv) examine existing efforts
29undertaken by healthcare providers, specifically foster care providers, and the existing body of
30research around best practices for insuring foster care providers in neighboring states and
31nationwide; (iv) solicit information and input as needed from providers, insurance carriers, and
32any other parties or entities deemed appropriate; (v) examine other matters deemed appropriate 3 of 3
33by the Commission; and (vi) determine appropriate solution(s) within Massachusetts to alleviate
34the pressures faced by foster care providers due to the financial and other burdens of holding
35foster care liability insurance.
36 All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this
37resolve.
38 The Commission shall submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the
39Clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives no later than October 1, 2025.