Chapter 19D of the Massachusetts General Laws as appearing in the 2016 official edition is hereby amended by inserting the following language at the end of Section 7:

The Executive Office of Elder Affairs shall implement an informal dispute resolution process that allows residences to contest findings issued for which corrective action is determined by the agency to be required.  The agency shall offer an opportunity, at a residence’s request, to dispute and appeal the finding and such request must be submitted in writing within 10 days of receipt of the agency’s findings are issued. The agency shall establish a 5-member committee to review appeals. The Committee shall include a representative from Massachusetts Senior Care Association, LeadingAge of Massachusetts, MassALA, the Commonwealth’s Ombudsman Program, defined in Chapter 19A and EOEA, who will serve as committee chairperson. Based upon its review of submitted materials, the committee may recommend that the finding be sustained or deleted.  At the committee meeting, all members (voting members and alternates) may participate in the discussion.  Only voting members may vote. If any member has a conflict of interest, he/she is to declare that conflict and will not participate in the discussion. Recommendations will be made based on committee consensus. If a consensus cannot be reached, a recommendation will be made by a majority vote.