Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H197 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2045 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 197
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	James C. Arena-DeRosa
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
12	12	resolve:
13	13	Resolve for a foster care liability insurance special commission.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James C. Arena-DeRosa8th Middlesex1/15/2025 1 of 3
17	17	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2045 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
18	18	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 197
19	19	By Representative Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No.
20	20	197) of James C. Arena-DeRosa for an investigation by a special commission (including
21	21	members of the General Court) relative to providers of comprehensive foster care in the
22	22	Commonwealth in obtaining and maintaining foster care liability insurance. Children, Families
23	23	and Persons with Disabilities.
24	24	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
25	25	_______________
26	26	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
27	27	(2025-2026)
28	28	_______________
29	29	Resolve for a foster care liability insurance special commission.
30	30	1 Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established for the purposes of making an
31	31	2investigation and study relative to providers of comprehensive foster care in the Commonwealth,
32	32	3contracted by the Department of Children and Families, in obtaining and maintaining the costs
33	33	4and additional burdens, such as administrative and programmatic, in obtaining and maintaining
34	34	5foster care liability insurance.
35	35	6 The Commission shall consist of the following members or their designees:
36	36	7 the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities or
37	37	8their designees, who will serve as chairs;
38	38	9 the Secretary of Health and Human Services or a designee;
39	39	10 the Commissioner of the Division of Insurance or a designee;
40	40	11 the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families or a designee; 2 of 3
41	41	12 the Chair of the Foster Care Caucus or their designee;
42	42	13 a representative from the Office of the Child Advocate;
43	43	14 a representative of insurance provider(s) of foster care liability insurance in the state of
44	44	15Massachusetts;
45	45	16 a representative from two providers of comprehensive foster care, appointed by the
46	46	17Children’s League of Massachusetts;
47	47	18 a representative from the Children’s League of Massachusetts or a designee;
48	48	19 3 members to be appointed by the Chairs as recommended by the Children’s League of
49	49	20Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a family member of a child or adolescent who has or is
50	50	21receiving comprehensive foster care services; and 1 of whom shall be an individual who has
51	51	22served as a comprehensive foster care parent. In making appointments, to the maximum extent
52	52	23feasible, ensure that the Commission represents a broad distribution of diverse perspectives and
53	53	24geographic regions.
54	54	25 The Commission shall: (i) compile data concerning the cost of insurance liability for
55	55	26foster care providers in Massachusetts and nationally, (ii) recent data on in-state and out-of-state
56	56	27insurance claims for comprehensive foster care providers; (iii) examine the current availability
57	57	28of, and barriers to obtaining, foster care liability insurance; (iv) examine existing efforts
58	58	29undertaken by healthcare providers, specifically foster care providers, and the existing body of
59	59	30research around best practices for insuring foster care providers in neighboring states and
60	60	31nationwide; (iv) solicit information and input as needed from providers, insurance carriers, and
61	61	32any other parties or entities deemed appropriate; (v) examine other matters deemed appropriate 3 of 3
62	62	33by the Commission; and (vi) determine appropriate solution(s) within Massachusetts to alleviate
63	63	34the pressures faced by foster care providers due to the financial and other burdens of holding
64	64	35foster care liability insurance.
65	65	36 All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this
66	66	37resolve.
67	67	38 The Commission shall submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the
68	68	39Clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives no later than October 1, 2025.