SENATE DOCKET, NO. 834 FILED ON: 1/12/2009 SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 819
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts _______________ PRESENTED BY: Patricia D. Jehlen _______________ To the
Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts in General The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill: An Act Relative to Accessible Medical Equipment. _______________ PETITION OF:
The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts _______________ In the Year Two Thousand and Nine _______________
An Act Relative to Accessible Medical Equipment. 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, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 5S the following section:- Section 5T (a) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing standards for the minimum technical criteria for medical diagnostic equipment used in or in conjunction with physician's offices, clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals, and other medical settings. The standards shall ensure that such equipment is accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities, and shall allow independent entry to, use of, and exit from the equipment by such individuals to the maximum extent possible. (b) Medical Diagnostic Equipment Covered- The standards issued under subsection (a) for medical diagnostic equipment shall apply to equipment that includes examination tables, examination chairs (including chairs used for eye examinations or procedures, and dental examinations or procedures), weight scales, mammography equipment, x-ray machines and other diagnostic radiological equipment, and any other equipment commonly used for diagnostic purposes by health professionals. |