HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1391        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3416

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act to protect nursing home residents.

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 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 72Z the following section:-

 Section 72AA.  The department, in consultation with the secretary of elder affairs, shall promulgate further regulations to promote and protect the interests and well being of residents in nursing homes, rest homes, and long-term care facilities, including but not limited to timely notification to the resident and designated family member or legal representative of relevant changes in resident care, posting of care and communication standards in a clear and conspicuous manner, and process for distributing a copy of all applicable rules and regulations to the resident, designated family member or legal representative including a written acknowledgment of receipt.