By Mr. Kocot of Northampton, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2145) of Peter V. Kocot for legislation to authorize the installation of chair lifts in dental offices for the assistance of patients with physical limitations.  Public Health.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Peter V. Kocot

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to chair lifts.

    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.

                Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, dental offices owned or leased by dentists licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, may install and utilize chair lifts to transfer patients and visitors to their offices., who are unable to ascend or descend stairs due to health problems or physical limitations, provided that said dental office(s) shall provide staff trained in the operation of the chair lifts to assist all patients and visitors utilizing said lift devices, and provided further, that said chair lifts used for these purposes shall be deemed to be in compliance with existing architectural barrier regulations when the chair lift extends only the distance from the ground floor to the second floor, and meets all other state and local regulations pertaining to construction codes and installation of said devices.