Bill > H778

This bill establishes a permanent commission on older LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning) adults and their caregivers in Massachusetts. The commission will consist of approximately 20 members, including government officials, representatives from LGBTQ and aging-focused organizations, and 5 gubernatorial appointees (including an elder law attorney, an LGBTQ policy expert, and 3 LGBTQ older adults, with geographic representation from Cape Cod, western and central Massachusetts). The commission's primary mandate is to comprehensively investigate and analyze the health, housing, financial, psychological, and long-term care needs of older LGBTQ adults and their caregivers. Specifically, the commission will examine state policies affecting LGBTQ seniors, strategies to increase provider awareness and competence, assess funding needs, explore best practices for reducing isolation and preventing abuse, evaluate alternatives to institutional care, develop training curricula for service providers, and create outreach protocols to help LGBTQ seniors feel more comfortable accessing mainstream services. The bill aims to improve the overall quality of life and support for LGBTQ older adults by addressing systemic challenges and disparities they may face in healthcare, social services, and community support.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H778