Massachusetts parents and advocates press committee to pass ‘Family Miranda’ bill requiring DCF to read rights

Supporters of S.114, the Family Protection and Transparency Act, told the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities that notifying families of their rights at the start of Department of Children and Families investigations would reduce fear, prevent coercion and make the system more accountable. “I am testifying today in support of s 1 14 and act to establish Miranda rights for families under investigation by the Department of Children and Families,” said Tatiana Rodriguez, founder and director of Family Matters First. The bill would require DCF to provide a clear written and verbal statement of rights at the onset of any investigation, including the right to remain silent, the right to counsel and the right to refuse entry without a court order, proponents said.

Why it matters: Witnesses described repeated examples in which parents — particularly low-income, Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), non-English speakers and people with prior involvement in the system — said they were not told their rights, felt coerced during interviews…