Bill S.1099

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1674 FILED ON: 1/21/2011

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1099

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Barry R. Finegold

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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 medication administration in nursing homes.

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PETITION OF:

Name:	District/Address:
Barry R. Finegold
Bruce E. Tarr

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1674 FILED ON: 1/21/2011

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1099

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1099) of Barry R. Finegold and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to administer medication in nursing homes. Public Health.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act relative to medication administration in nursing homes.

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. Section 72 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 72AA the following section:-

Section 72BB. (a) As used in this section the following word shall have the following meaning:-

“Certified medication aide,” any employee of a facility who has completed a department-certified medication administration training program and is therefore qualified to dispense medication to patients in the facility.

(b) The department shall establish rules and regulations to establish a medication administration training and certification program for medication aides. The regulations shall include: (1) provisions for continuing education requirements for certified medication aides; (2) requirements for re-certification of certified medication aides on a biennial basis; (3) fees for the issuance of certification to certified medication aides; and (4) standards for qualification of applicants for certification, including the applicant's criminal history, work record, and prohibitions against behavior which may be potentially harmful to patients.