Bill
Bill > H243
MA H243
Updating terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilities
summary
Introduced
02/27/2025
02/27/2025
In Committee
02/27/2025
02/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
194th General Court
Bill Summary
Relative to terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilities. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
AI Summary
This bill updates terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilities in Massachusetts, making numerous technical amendments to Chapter 19C of the General Laws. Key provisions include redefining terms such as "abuse" and "abuse per se" to provide more precise and comprehensive descriptions of potential mistreatment, establishing a special investigative unit within the Disabled Persons Protection Commission with at least 5 state police officers, and modifying investigation and reporting procedures for potential abuse of persons with disabilities. The bill expands the definition of who can be considered a "disabled person" (ages 18-59 with intellectual or developmental disabilities), clarifies the responsibilities of mandated reporters, and updates protocols for investigating and referring potential abuse cases. The changes aim to improve protections for vulnerable individuals by streamlining investigative processes, ensuring more comprehensive reporting, and providing clearer guidelines for agencies and caretakers dealing with potential abuse situations. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information during investigations and establishes more flexible mechanisms for addressing potential abuse, such as allowing the commission to refer matters to appropriate agencies and investigate allegations more comprehensively.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (53)
Simon Cataldo (D)*,
Sean Garballey (D)*,
Jim Arciero (D),
James Arena-Derosa (D),
Shirley Arriaga (D),
Michelle Badger (D),
John Barrett (D),
Mike Barrett (D),
Michael Brady (D),
Dan Cahill (D),
Tackey Chan (D),
Jo Comerford (D),
Mike Connolly (D),
Manny Cruz (D),
Leigh Davis (D),
Marjorie Decker (D),
Mindy Domb (D),
Paul Donato (D),
Jamie Eldridge (D),
Kim Ferguson (R),
Bill Galvin (D),
Colleen Garry (D),
Carmine Gentile (D),
Jim Hawkins (D),
Chris Hendricks (D),
Natalie Higgins (D),
Vanna Howard (D),
Steven Howitt (R),
Brad Jones (R),
Hannah Kane (R),
Patrick Kearney (D),
Mike Kushmerek (D),
David Linsky (D),
John Marsi (R),
Paul McMurtry (D),
Sam Montaño (D),
Brian Murray (D),
Jim O'Day (D),
Jake Oliveira (D),
Steve Owens (D),
Angelo Puppolo (D),
Adrianne Ramos (D),
Lindsay Sabadosa (D),
Dan Sena (D),
Priscila Sousa (D),
Tom Stanley (D),
Alyson Sullivan (R),
Bruce Tarr (R),
Steve Ultrino (D),
Erika Uyterhoeven (D),
Andy Vargas (D),
Dave Vieira (R),
Susannah Whipps (I),
Last Action
Senate concurred (on 02/27/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H243 |
| BillText | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H243.pdf |
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