SCOV Law

By Andy Delaney Two cases on Valentine's Day. I haven't thought of a "clever" link between the first case and Valentine's Day and it's probably better that I don't. Our first case is an appeal from a substantiation. M.R., while a minor himself, was accused of sexually abusing another kid. The Department for Children and Families (DCF) substantiated him and put him on "the list." DCF sent the substantiation notice to M.R.'s dad, not to M.R. directly, and not to mom. Dad asked for a review but then (allegedly) didn't show up for the review. M.R. then missed the deadline to appeal the decision. When he eventually tried to appeal, the Human Services Board (HSB) granted DCF's motion to dismiss on timeliness grounds.  M.R. appeals. He argues that the law says he should've gotten the notice directly and that it should've been sent to both parents, not just dad. He also argues that not telling him directly violated his constitutional ...