Massachusetts Senate Passes Child Welfare Bill Unanimously, 37-0

BOSTON — June 11, 2026 — The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a sweeping child welfare protection bill and opened a conference committee on the state's data privacy law at its June 11 session. The chamber voted 37-0 to engross House 4646, "An Act Enhancing Child Welfare Protections," after adopting four amendments, including Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr's Amendment 6, which codifies the Office of the Child Advocate's youth engagement initiative — now serving 195 youth in congregate care — and mandates foster care maltreatment reporting, and an electronic backpack program for student records transfer. Assistant Majority Leader Sal N. DiDomenico withdrew his Children's Cabinet amendment, saying the concept "must be addressed in various avenues." Three Tarr amendments on school and probation certification prior to children-requiring-assistance filings were defeated on voice votes. On the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, Senator Paul R. Feeney moved to non-concur with a House amendment, sending the bill to a conference committee with Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem, Senator Barry R. Finegold, and Senator Patrick M. O'Connor as Senate conferees. The Senate adjourned in memory of correction officer John Edwards of Ashby, seven-year-old Lunenburg first grader Hadley J. Boucher, and former U.S. Representative Barney Frank, who died May 19 at 86.