Bill > S2761

This bill: - Establishes March 21 as Veterans' Homes Remembrance Day to honor veterans who lost their lives due to COVID-19 outbreaks at veterans' homes in the commonwealth. - Replaces the Commissioner of Veterans' Services with a Secretary of Veterans' Services, who will be a veteran appointed by the governor. - Creates a Massachusetts Veterans' Homes Advisory Council to advise on the health, well-being, and safety of residents at state-operated veterans' homes and access to equitable, high-quality, and competent care. - Establishes regional councils for each state-operated veterans' home to represent the local community, residents, and family members. - Requires the Department of Public Health to conduct regular inspections of state-operated veterans' homes and report findings publicly. - Requires state-operated veterans' homes to apply for and maintain certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. - Creates an ombudsperson position to advocate for residents and staff of state-operated veterans' homes. - Makes various other changes to the administration and oversight of state-operated veterans' homes in the commonwealth.

Senate Committee on Ways and Means (S)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2761