Children, Families and persons with disabilities Committee Testimony Cheat Sheet

An Act Relative to Health Care Quality for Children and Youth
H.285/ S.169 | FACT SHEET

Tuesday, November 18th Hearing

Testimony tips

  • Prioritize one or two main points only.  When the committee members deliberate privately, what do you want them to remember if they were to summarize your position in one sentence?  Use your two minutes to go deeply on that point so it is memorable.

  • Use Examples, if possible, but keep them clear and brief. Make policy issues real, and illustrate how your point above plays out in real life. 

Bill Information and Talking Points:

  • The bill codifies existing strong practice at DYS.
    DYS has long maintained a model health care program that emphasizes access to quality medical, dental, behavioral, and reproductive health care for youth in its custody. The DYS Request for Referrals for healthcare specifically invokes a ‘community standard of care.’ This bill does not create new requirements; it simply enshrines those evidence-based standards into law. Doing so ensures stability and continuity regardless of leadership or budget cycles.

  • No fiscal impact.
    Because DYS already operates according to these standards, there is no added cost to implementing this legislation. It simply makes permanent what is already common practice — a prudent step toward long-term consistency and accountability.

  • Affirms that Massachusetts’ “community standard of care” for young people means something.
    The phrase “community standard of care” reflects our Commonwealth’s values — that children and youth in state custody should receive care that meets the same professional standards available to all children in their home communities. Codifying this standard recognizes that Massachusetts’ approach to youth justice and rehabilitation is rooted in health, fairness, and best practice.

  • Durability through statute.
    Practices can change with leadership or administrative shifts. Placing these standards in law provides a clear, durable foundation for youth health services, allowing agencies to maintain excellence and public confidence over time.

Hearing Details

  • Date: Tuesday, November 18th @ 1pm

  • Link to sign up to testify here. 

    • Deadline to register: Friday, November 14th @ 3pm.

    • Oral testimony is limited to three minutes per person or six minutes total for a panel.

  • In-person: State House, Room A-2

    • Closest entrance: Bowdoin Street. The hearing room is one floor above.

    • From Beacon Street entrance: go to the 2nd floor, walk across the main hall of the State House and walk down the Grand Staircase (or take the elevator down to the 1st floor). 

    • The entrance will have staffers with paper sign ups for anyone interested in testifying in-person last minute.

  • Virtual: link will be emailed on a calendar invite after registration

  • Submit written testimony by:

Link to watch hearing online:

https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5477

Hearing Logistics:

  • Timing The first hour (maybe two hours) will most likely be taken up by elected officials who get called first.  The order of bills will not be known ahead of time unfortunately.

  • Restrooms: : Women’s and men’s public restrooms are located on either side of Room 136.  Additional restrooms are available in the basement, one floor below. All gender public restrooms located between rooms 26 and 27.  Men’s is in room 14 and women’s is in room 44.

  • Food: Pack a snack or visit the 4th floor cafeteria for vending machine snacks or refrigerated meals.