BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts children who often skip school, run away from
home and get in trouble could soon benefit from legislation that would change
how the state handles their cases.
Passed in the state Legislature this week, the bill would overhaul the
state's Children In Need of Services program, which handles troubled kids
between the ages of 6 and 17.
If signed by Gov. Deval Patrick, it would allow children to receive help in a
timely manner, require schools to implement truancy prevention programs and aim
to keep cases out of the juvenile court, where they are often handled.
But while supporters say it will help children, school groups have expressed
concerns over program funding for some of the bill's provisions.
