Legislation establishes Foster Child Bill of Rights, expands community-based support for at-risk youth
(BOSTON—6/11/2026) The Massachusetts Senate today unanimously passed legislation that safeguards the well-being of children, particularly those in state care and foster care; increases access to community support for children at risk of court involvement; and strengthens investigations of abuse cases. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) joined her colleagues in supporting this measure, which passed without opposition on a 39-0 roll call vote.
By establishing a Foster Child Bill of Rights, the bill—S.3111, An Act enhancing child welfare protections—guarantees certain basic rights for children in foster care related to their safety, education, and health care.
This legislation also expands the diversion of children dealing with behavior or attendance problems to Family Resource Centers (FRCs) instead of the court system.
FRCs provide accessible, confidential support to children and families in crisis close to home and have proven successful in helping kids and teens stay in school, connecting families with services such as mental health or substance use treatment, housing aid, and legal help, and—most importantly—avoiding the need for the child to obtain a court record just to access assistance.
The bill further strengthens the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) to support robust investigations into reports of harm or abuse to a child. It places the Child Fatality Review Team within the OCA and explicitly empowers the OCA to review cases of indecent assault and battery, abuse or rape of a child.
“In Massachusetts, we must take accountability and ensure all children, especially those in our foster care system and at-risk youth, get the support and protection they need to thrive,” said Senator Friedman, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “This legislation takes much-needed strides, establishing a Bill of Rights for foster children that importantly guarantees basic rights to health services for these youth. I am very grateful for Senate President Spilka’s long-standing commitment to supporting community services and Family Resources Centers, and for Senator Kennedy’s leadership on this initiative as we strive to improve outcomes for children across the Commonwealth.”
Full details of the legislation are included in a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.
During the course of public debate during today’s formal session, Senators adopted amendments to further strengthen the OCA’s work to serve children and families.
One addition to the bill (Amendment 1) requires the OCA to make materials available to volunteers who work with children—such as volunteer coaches or scout troop leaders—that will help them recognize the signs of child abuse, prevent sexual abuse, and understand signs of problematic sexual behavior between minors.
Senators also adopted another amendment (Amendment 31), inspired by a family’s story, to ask the OCA to compile resources to better aid grieving families who have lost a child due to Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome (SUDS).
The bill was reported to the full chamber by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means with a 15-0 vote on June 4, 2026. The Committee on Ways and Means centered its work on a comprehensive omnibus bill assembled last fall by the Senate members of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, led by Senator Kennedy.
A previous version having passed the House of Representatives, the Senate sent today’s bill back to the House for further review.
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