HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3301        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 108

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Kate Hogan

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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 safe staffing levels at private sector human service agencies.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Kate Hogan

3rd Middlesex

 

Anne M. Gobi

5th Worcester

 

Jennifer E. Benson

37th Middlesex

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3301        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 108

By Ms. Hogan of Stow, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 108) of Kate Hogan, Anne M. Gobi and Jennifer E. Benson relative to establishing minimum staffing levels for private sector human service agencies.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

An Act relative to ensuring safe staffing levels at private sector human service agencies.

 

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

Section 16 of Chapter 6A of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended at the end by adding the following paragraphs:-

Any community services program funded with 80% or more by contracts with agencies within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and in which its employees are charged with care of individuals served by the program, the employer providing the program must identify minimal staffing levels for each residential or other staffer setting within the program.  These levels shall be accompanied by an explanation consisting of a risk review or other analysis which shows how the identified staffing level will be sufficient to maintain the safety of employees and the individuals served.

Any location where supports and/or services are provided through programs funded with 80% or more by contracts with agencies within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services which are governed by state regulations that require any type of safety plan or assessment for the individuals served by the program shall include as part of that assessment for each individual the minimum staffing level(s) per setting deemed sufficient to maintain the safety of an individual.