Bill > S1420

This bill amends existing Massachusetts law regarding the administration of psychotropic medications in nursing homes by first defining "psychotropic" as any drug that affects brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior, which includes antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, depressants, and potentially anticonvulsants. The bill introduces new requirements for nursing homes, including mandatory submission of the Nursing Home (NH) Antipsychotic Medication Measures report to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, with potential penalties for non-compliance such as monetary fines and suspension of new admissions for repeated failures. Additionally, these reports must be publicly posted on both the department website and the nursing home's website. The bill also mandates that care plans for residents receiving psychotropic medications must now include detailed documentation, such as the prescriber's name and license number, the date of evaluation, specific reasons for prescribing, and a certification of informed consent from the resident or guardian, with this documentation to be sworn under penalties of perjury.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1420