BOSTON — Long time priority of State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, the Foster Parents' bill of rights, is now law.

 

According to a press release from Farley-Bouvier, the Foster Parent Bill of Rights (FPBoR) was sent to the governor's desk for signature in the final hours of the 192nd legislative session and was signed into law on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023. 

 

This comes after years of collaboration between House sponsors Rep. Farley-Bouvier and Representative Paul Donato (D-Medford), Senate sponsor Senator Jo Comerford (D-North Hampton), and countless foster parent advocates across the state.

 

The FPBoR offers a range of protections for foster parents, namely: anti-discrimination protections; greater confidentiality; training; more information on the child prior to placement and the opportunity to provide helpful information after placements; increased transparency from DCF on reviews, funding resources, and removals; and involvement in the child's action plan creation.

 

Another key provision of the Foster Parents' bill of rights is the inclusion of the prudent parent standard. This standard helps foster parents take away the stigma so often faced by foster children; it gives foster parents the authority to allow foster children to go to birthday parties without background checks, it allows foster families to take a day trip to a farm right over state lines, it allows foster children to ride their bikes to middle school with their friends. All things that allow foster children to have as close to an average childhood as possible. 

 

"I couldn't be happier to have now in statute the fact that foster parents will be treated as respected members of the professional foster care team," said Representative Farley-Bouvier. "Those that open their hearts and their homes to our most vulnerable children are the very core of the child welfare system and just like with anyone else, if you want to recruit and retain them, they need to have positive experiences. Sadly, that is not usually the case."

 

According to the press reelase, foster parent advocates across Massachusetts are excited for these long-awaited protections. Including Berkshire County's Missy Tarjick.

 

"On behalf of MAFF (Massachusetts Alliance for Foster Families) and as a foster/adoptive Mom, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the legislature and the governor for the passage of the Foster Parent Bill of Rights. Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier has been a foster family champion since taking office, and this bill would not have been possible without her.  Foster families dedicate their lives to children in need; without them, many children would be left in unsafe conditions. This bill encompasses much of what foster parents require and deserve, which will always benefit the children in their care," Tarjick said. "For me, the heart of this bill is the recognition from our state leaders that we are an essential member of the child welfare team. MAFF is eager to continue our collaboration with the Department of Children and Families as policies and practices are highlighted and/or enhanced as we move toward implementation."

 

The Foster Parents Bill of Rights is now included in the Massachusetts General Laws for all to review, especially our foster parents, in the Acts of 2022 Chapter 439.