Patrick signs law aimed at improving child welfare
BOSTON—Gov. Deval Patrick says that when it comes time to assess the effectiveness of a new child welfare law, he hopes no news will be good news.
That's because horrific child abuse cases make the headlines, but not the thousands more that are handled successfully.
The bill signed Tuesday during a Statehouse ceremony was sparked by a series of high profile child welfare cases, including that of Haleigh Poutre. As an 11 year old, she was allegedly beaten into a coma by her adoptive mother and stepfather.
The centerpiece of the initiative is the Office of the Child Advocate. It's charged with investigating incidents involving children in state care.
Another section of the bill requires mandated reporters such as social workers to report suspected cases of child abuse or face a $2,000 fine and up to two and a half years in jail.
