Section 44 Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard for Congregate Care Providers 1

Section 21 of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of "Parent" the following definition:-

"Reasonable and prudent parent standard", the standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety and best interests of a child and encourage the emotional and developmental growth of the child; provided, however, that factors to be considered shall include, but not be limited to, the child's age, the child's mental and behavioral health and other relevant factors that may affect the child's safety and well-being.