Skip to Content

Print Document Text

Download PDF



HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1370         FILED ON: 1/16/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 956

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Aaron Michlewitz

_______________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
              Court assembled:

              The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying:

An Act concerning the safety of autistic and alzheimer individuals.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Aaron Michlewitz

3rd Suffolk

Garrett J. Bradley

3rd Plymouth

James M. Cantwell

4th Plymouth

William C. Galvin

6th Norfolk

Viriato Manuel deMacedo

1st Plymouth

Rhonda Nyman

5th Plymouth


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1370        FILED ON: 1/16/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 956

By Mr. Michlewitz of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 956) of Aaron Michlewitz and others for legislation to provide insurance coverage for the use of electronic tracking devices to protect the safety of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Alzheimer's Disease.  Financial Services. 


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
 

 

An Act concerning the safety of autistic and alzheimer individuals.
 

              Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

              SECTION 1: Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 9C the following section:-

              Section 9D. (a) Definitions. As used in the section: 

              (i) “Technology-Assisted Tracking Device” shall mean any wearable device that complies with the following imperatives:

              a)Waterproof and able to function under water (which is a major destination as seen above), compliant with IP66 and IP68 standards

              b) Works indoors or under cover (Radio Frequency is the best technology for this), and does not need direct line of sight to the sky (GPS)

              c) Not dependent on third-party public communication networks (such as cellular, GSM, GPRS, or similar as these are NOT prevalent everywhere)

              d) Wrist or ankle strap needs to be tamper-resistant, but changeable by the caregiver directly

              e) System specifics need to avoid false alarms in order not to waste LE and SAR time, and have a patient specific code for each device so as to avoid mistaken identities

             

              (b) A health benefit plan shall provide full coverage, subject to all applicable co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits, for insured individuals who are diagnosed by a license physician with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or Autism spectrum Disorder, to obtain a Technology-Assisted Tracking Device if they or their guardian choose.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.