Bill > H245

This bill proposes to amend Section 16 of Chapter 6A of the Massachusetts General Laws to prohibit any program, agency, or facility funded, operated, licensed, or approved by the state from using aversive therapy or harmful procedures on individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. Specifically, the bill bans practices that cause physical pain, such as hitting, pinching, or using electric shock to modify behavior. The legislation also prohibits any physical contact or punishment that would be illegal if applied to a person without a disability, and forbids denying individuals with disabilities basic human necessities like sleep, food, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities, or other fundamental aspects of a humane existence. The bill aims to protect vulnerable populations by ensuring that programs serving people with disabilities cannot use cruel or degrading methods of behavior management, essentially establishing a clear standard of care and human dignity for individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H245