Bill > H526

This bill mandates that the Department of Elder Affairs, which oversees services for older adults, actively work to prevent and eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and to improve access to services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elders and their caregivers. To achieve this, the department will develop a curriculum to support training for service providers. This training will be required for all individuals who provide services and either contract with or receive funding from the department, Aging Service Access Points (local agencies that help elders access services), or the MassHealth Office of Long Term Care (a state program that helps pay for long-term care services), or whose services are certified by the department. The department will also establish a clear process and timeline for these service providers to complete the required training.