HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4342 FILED ON: 4/3/2012
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4181
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
George T. Ross
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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 adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to ensuring the safety of residents of facilities under the authority of the department of mental health and the department of developmental services.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
George T. Ross | 2nd Bristol | 4/3/2012 |
George N. Peterson, Jr. | 9th Worcester | 4/5/2012 |
Elizabeth A. Poirier | 14th Bristol | 4/5/2012 |
F. Jay Barrows | 1st Bristol | 4/9/2012 |
Kimberly N. Ferguson | 1st Worcester | 4/5/2012 |
Donald F. Humason, Jr. | 4th Hampden | 4/5/2012 |
Shaunna O'Connell | 3rd Bristol | 4/6/2012 |
James J. Dwyer | 30th Middlesex | 4/4/2012 |
James R. Miceli | 19th Middlesex | 4/6/2012 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4342 FILED ON: 4/3/2012
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4181
By Mr. Ross of Attleboro, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of George T. Ross and others relative to continuously monitoring the entrances, exits, and common areas of all facilities operated under the authority of the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Developmental Services. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the Year Two Thousand Twelve
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An Act relative to ensuring the safety of residents of facilities under the authority of the department of mental health and the department of developmental services.
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 19 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof, the following new section:-
Section 25.
(a) For the purposes of this section, the following word shall have the following meaning: “common areas”, an area of a facility that all residents share, including but not limited to dining areas, recreational areas, meeting areas, and hallways.
(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, video cameras shall be installed at all entrances, exits, and common areas of private facilities licensed by the department of mental health, pursuant to section 19, and at the entrances, exits, and common areas of all facilities under the authority of the department of mental health and the department of developmental services, including community-based residential homes, group homes, and inpatient facilities, for the purposes of continuously monitoring the entrances, exits, and common areas of these facilities. The commissioners of the department of mental health and the department of developmental services, in consultation with the executive office of public safety and security, shall establish a system for maintaining the recorded images produced by continuous video monitoring and shall coordinate in promulgating rules and regulations consistent with this section.