SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2401        FILED ON: 1/22/2016

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2139

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Patricia D. Jehlen

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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 providing limited health services for residents of assisted living residences.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2401        FILED ON: 1/22/2016

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2139

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act providing limited health services for residents of assisted living residences.

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 1 of chapter 19D of the general laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended, by inserting after the definition for “elderly housing,” the following new definition:-

“Limited Health Services”, intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection; application or replacement of dressings when the physician has prescribed irrigation, the application of medication, or sterile dressings of skin disorders, or care of wounds to provide safe and effective services; administration of oxygen on a regular and continuing basis when the resident's medical condition warrants skilled observation (for example, when the resident  has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pulmonary edema); insertion, sterile irrigation, and replacement of “straight” catheters; or application of ointments or drops.

SECTION 2. Section 10 of chapter 19D, is hereby further amended by inserting after subsection (7) (d), the following new subsection:-

(e) The sponsor may advertise, market, and otherwise promote or provide or arrange for the provision of limited health services for assisted living residents and shall administer such care and services in accordance with the requirements set forth herein.  A sponsor may not provide limited health services without submitting an operating plan to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs for its approval that explains how the Residence’s limited health services will meet the needs of its resident population or individual residents therein, and the staff qualifications and training for providing such services.  Said operating plan shall specify whether all, or certain, of the enumerated health service will be offered.

SECTION 3. Section 11 of chapter 19D, is hereby amended by inserting after the first sentence the following:-

“Except as permitted for residences which opt to provide Limited Health Services,”.