Pending Legislation
Senate Bill #1003
Lead Sponsors: Senator Pamela Resor, Representative Bruce Ayers
This Bill authorizes the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC), Department of Mental Retardation (DMR), Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to seek a restraining order against any person who interferes with the provision of protective services to a person with a disability who is a victim of abuse. In addition, the Bill permits the same action to be taken when the alleged abuser persists in contacting the alleged victim during the pendency of the investigation process authorized by M.G.L. c. 19C.
House Bill #2081
Lead Sponsor: Representative James Eldridge
Contact Person: Rob Amarra
The Bill amends c. 19C in numerous ways to make the statute consistent with the current operations of DPPC, including the following substantive provisions:
Recognizes DMR, MRC and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)
Clarifies the assignment of cases
Clarifies the handling of criminal cases
Clarifies the DPPC’s authority to refer cases to other state agencies
House Bill # 2082
Lead Sponsor: Representative James Eldridge
Contact Person: Rob Amarra
The Bill amends c. 19C the definition of “disabled person” to include elders in institutions (State hospitals and State Developmental Centers/Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) and provider programs.
House Bill #2083
Lead Sponsor: Representative James Eldridge
Contact Person: Rob Amarra
The Bill amends c. 19C by including in the definition of "Mandated Reporter" in c. 19C §1 the following categories of professionals: firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and correctional officers.
House Bill #937
Lead Sponsor: Representative James Eldridge
Contact Person: Rob Amarra
The Bill amends c. 19C to provide the same protection to DPPC held confidential information as that provided to information held by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) G.L. c. 19A§23. The Bill's language also meets the specific requirement to constitute an exemption to "public record" as required by G.L. c.4 §7 cl. 26. Disclosure would be explicitly allowed under G.L. c. 66A and therefore all confidential information would be protected from unauthorized distribution.