Massachusetts · 194th Legislature (2025-2026) · Bill
S 2659: An Act enhancing child welfare protections
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
S 2659 is a bill introduced in the Massachusetts Senate on November 3, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: An Act enhancing child welfare protections. Primary sponsor: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. It lists 16 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (June 4, 2026): Accompanied H4646.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Senate, October 23, 2025 -- The committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 107) of Joanne M. Comerford and Nick Collins for legislation to establish a bill of rights for children in foster care; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 125) of Ryan C. Fattman, Joseph D. McKenna and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create an electronic backpack for foster children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 127) of Paul R. Feeney and Michael S. Chaisson for legislation to authorize the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to establish additional mandated reporters for the purpose of the protection and care of children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 129) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to require that mandated reporters complete training at least every two years to recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 133) of Adam Gomez for legislation relative to child fatality review; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 148) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation to enhance child welfare protections; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 159) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to supporting families dealing with sudden unexplained death in pediatrics; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2585) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to establish compliance with federal education reporting requirements for out of home placement students, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2659).
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 10 · Republican 6
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Mike Chaisson | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 1st Bristol |
| Nick Collins | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | First Suffolk |
| Jo Comerford | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester |
| Lydia Edwards | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | Third Suffolk |
| Ryan Fattman | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | Worcester and Hampden |
| Paul Feeney | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | Bristol and Norfolk |
| Adam Gómez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | Hampden |
| Hannah Kane | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 11th Worcester |
| Patrick Kearney | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 4th Plymouth |
| John Keenan | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | Norfolk and Plymouth |
| Robyn Kennedy | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | First Worcester |
| Joan Lovely | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | Second Essex |
| Joe McKenna | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 18th Worcester |
| Mike Moore | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | Second Worcester |
| Kelly Pease | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 4th Hampden |
| Bruce Tarr | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | First Essex and Middlesex |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Accompanied H4646
- Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently