Bill > S2582

This bill aims to improve the governance, structure, and care of veterans at the Commonwealth's veterans' homes. Key provisions include: - Establishing a statewide Massachusetts Veterans' Homes Advisory Council to oversee the management and operations of state-operated veterans' homes, including providing recommendations on appointing superintendents and deputy superintendents, developing standardized rules and regulations, and monitoring capital projects. - Requiring the Department of Public Health to conduct biannual inspections of state-operated veterans' homes and report any violations. - Replacing the use of the term "commandant" with "superintendent" throughout relevant statutes. - Restructuring the oversight and reporting structure for state-operated veterans' homes, with the superintendent reporting to the Executive Director of Veterans' Homes and Housing, who then reports to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Governor. - Mandating the employment of specialized staff for infection control, emergency preparedness, and an ombudsperson at each state-operated veterans' home. - Requiring state-operated veterans' homes to maintain Medicare/Medicaid certification and strive for a 5-star CMS staffing rating. - Establishing an advisory commission to recommend new designations for the Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts and the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, named after Massachusetts veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Budget and Finance, Military Affairs and Security

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2582