Bill > H786

This bill proposes several significant changes to protect vulnerable elders from abuse in Massachusetts, focusing primarily on expanding and clarifying the role of the Department of Elder Affairs in investigating and responding to elder abuse. The bill broadens the definition of "abuse" to include physical, emotional, and financial harm, and clarifies that "caretakers" can include family members, agencies, and individuals with legal responsibilities for an elderly person's care. It mandates that the department develop a comprehensive protective services system for elderly persons, including those in correctional facilities, and ensures that no elderly person in such facilities will be charged for protective services. The bill establishes new reporting requirements for state agencies, requiring them to cooperate fully with elder abuse investigations, provide access to facilities and records, and submit annual reports detailing their actions in response to abuse allegations. Additionally, the legislation strengthens protections for individuals who report elder abuse, prohibiting retaliation and ensuring that confidentiality privileges do not prevent reporting. The bill also requires the department to provide specialized training for employees investigating abuse in custodial settings and to notify elderly persons in such facilities about their rights and how to report abuse, ultimately aiming to create a more robust and responsive system for protecting some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H786