HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1204        FILED ON: 1/14/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1822

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Angelo M. Scaccia

_________________

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 providing appropriate medical care for persons in mental health facilities.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1204        FILED ON: 1/14/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1822

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1812 OF 2013-2014.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

_______________

An Act relative to providing appropriate medical care for persons in mental health facilities.

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. The first paragraph of Section 4 of chapter 123 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking the words “physical examination by a physician licensed under the provisions of chapter one hundred and twelve” and inserting in place thereof the words:— "comprehensive physical examination by a physician licensed under the provisions of chapter one hundred and twelve upon admission and".

SECTION 2. Said Section 4 of said chapter 123, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following two paragraphs:— During an admission examination, periodic physical examination and on a continuing basis, the examining physician shall identify all persons who require intermediate nursing services, skilled nursing services, chronic disease hospital services or rehabilitation hospital services, as referred to in the regulations promulgated by the department of transitional assistance, regardless of any person’s need to have such service provided in an institutional setting. Upon such identification, a report of the same shall be made by such physician to the commissioner, who shall maintain statistical records regarding such persons.  The department of mental health shall provide an individual service plan for every person so identified within thirty days of such identification, which plan shall be written pursuant to the standards and procedures established in the rules and regulations of said department, relative to the standards by which an individual may request and receive mental health services and which shall note each of the person’s physical health care needs. Each service plan shall provide for services in the most age appropriate and disability appropriate setting consistent with the mental health needs of each person.