Code of Massachusetts Regulations
109 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES
Title 109 CMR 8.00 - THE GRANTING AND REVOCATION OF CONDITIONAL LIBERTY FOR YOUTH COMMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES
Section 8.05 - Conditional Liberty Agreement
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
Prior to any placement in a community-based setting, including home, a youth must agree in writing to abide by specific conditions. Such conditions shall be memorialized in the youth's Conditional Liberty Agreement, which shall meet the following criteria:
(1) The terms set forth in the Conditional Liberty Agreement shall be in accordance with the standards established by the Department. In developing the standards, the Department shall take into account adolescent brain development, and normative adolescent behavior and reflect best practices for juvenile re-entry and Positive Youth Development.
(2) The Conditional Liberty Agreement shall be written in clear and developmentally appropriate language, and be customized to accommodate the cognitive, social-emotional and cultural circumstances of the youth to whom it applies and public safety concerns.
(3) The Department shall afford a youth and his or her legal guardian the opportunity to review and provide input into any Conditional Liberty Agreement prior to its finalization.
(4) The Conditional Liberty Agreement shall be signed by the youth and the youth's Caseworker and/or the relevant District Manager or designee.
(5) A youth's Conditional Liberty Agreement shall be reviewed at least once every four months and updated to remain consistent with the youth's circumstances, capabilities, goals and treatment plan, as well as any emergent public safety concerns.
