By Mr. Koutoujian of Waltham, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 615) of Peter J. Koutoujian relative to requiring nursing homes to provide information and request directives regarding end of life issues from new residents.  Elder Affairs.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Peter J. Koutoujian

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to nursing homes. .

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 72C the following section:—

Section 72C1/2. Nursing homes licensed and operated in the commonwealth shall be required to discuss, and document said discussion, regarding advance directives for end of life issues within 2 weeks of admitting new residents. This discussion should cover treatment instructions and proxy instructions for the level of care a patient would want in a life-threatening situation and the option to designate an individual as a durable power of attorney. Any advance directive forms indicated by this discussion should also be completed within this time frame.