HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1197 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 654
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Thomas P. Walsh
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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 nursing homes.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Thomas P. Walsh | 12th Essex | 1/18/2023 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1197 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 654
By Representative Walsh of Peabody, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 654) of Thomas P. Walsh relative to floor plans for certain nursing homes. Elder Affairs. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 758 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to nursing homes.
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. Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 72D the following section:-
Section 72D ½. (a) The bedroom of each resident, as that term is defined in section 72F, shall have a floor area of not less than 125 square feet for single occupancy rooms and not less than 90 per bed for multiple occupancy rooms.
(b) The bedroom of each resident, as that term is defined in said section 72F, shall be shaped and sized so each bed may be placed at least 4 feet from any lateral wall and at least 4 feet from any window or radiator. Beds shall be spaced at least 3 feet from any other bed and an unobstructed passageway of at least 6 feet shall be maintained at the foot of each bed. Variations in bed placement and dimensions shall be permitted only with the approval of the department; provided, however, that the unobstructed passageway shall never be less than 4 feet.
(c) As used in this section, the word “floor area” shall not include any closet, vestibule or toilet room areas.
SECTION 2. Section 72D ½ of chapter 111 of the General Laws, inserted by section 1, shall not apply to bedrooms of a facility licensed under section 71 of said chapter 111 on the effective date of this act.
SECTION 3. Section 2 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. Section 3 shall take effect on January 1, 2025.