HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1143        FILED ON: 1/15/2019

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

James J. O'Day

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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 persons with developmental disabilities.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1143        FILED ON: 1/15/2019

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act relative to persons with developmental disabilities.

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 123B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking lines 18 through 37 and inserting in place thereof the following:-

“Person with a developmental disability,” (1) an individual 5 years of age or older with a severe, chronic disability that: (i) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments; (ii) is manifested before the individual attains age 22; (iii) is likely to continue indefinitely; (iv) results in substantial function limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity: (1) self-care; (2) receptive and expressive language; (3) learning; (4) mobility; (5) self-direction; (6) capacity for independent living; and (7) economic self-sufficiency; and (v) reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic services, individualized supports or other forms of assistance that are of a lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated; or (2) an individual under the age of 5 who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition with a high probability that the condition will result in developmental disability if services are not provided. A person who has a developmental disability may be considered to be mentally ill; provided, however, that no person with a developmental disability shall be considered to be mentally ill solely by the reason of the person’s developmental disability.

SECTION 2: This act shall take effect on January 1, 2020.