SENATE DOCKET, NO. 734 FILED ON: 1/15/2015
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 359
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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 relative to protecting the health and safety of elders with hoarding disorder.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
Patricia D. Jehlen | Second Middlesex |
Denise Provost | 27th Middlesex |
Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. | 26th Middlesex |
Barbara A. L'Italien | Second Essex and Middlesex |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 734 FILED ON: 1/15/2015
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 359
By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 359) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Denise Provost, Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. and Barbara L'Italien for legislation to protect the health and safety of elders with hoarding disorder. Elder Affairs. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 290 OF 2013-2014.]
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 relative to protecting the health and safety of elders with hoarding disorder.
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 14 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:
“Abuse”, an Act or omission which results in serious physical or emotional injury to an elderly person or financial exploitation of an elderly person; or the failure, inability or resistance of an elderly person to provide for him one or more of the necessities essential for safety, physical and emotional well-being without which the elderly person would be unable to safely remain in the community. The term includes compulsive hoarding, which is characterized by the acquisition and retention of large quantities of items and materials, resulting in an extensively cluttered living space that substantially impedes the performance of essential self-care tasks or threatens the health and safety of the resident. Hoarding is often characterized by a lack of insight into the health/safety risks caused by the hoarding. No person shall be considered to be abused or neglected for the sole reason that such person is being furnished or relies upon treatment in accordance with the tenets and teachings of a church or religious denomination by a duly accredited practitioner thereof.