SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2251        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jacob R. Oliveira

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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 to improve health care coordination and safe discharge.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2251        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act to improve health care coordination and safe discharge.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 2. In the case of a patient with a home care agency, a hospital shall notify a patient's home care agency and primary care doctor on discharge steps and medication instructions in a clear format. A hospital shall ensure notification on treatment steps and any updated medication to the patient's primary care doctor and home health care agency.

SECTION 3. Section 236 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding after the words “the urgency of the need for caregiver services”, in subsection (c), the following words:- A hospital shall ensure clear discharge plan to a family caregiver including clear instructions to caregivers with limited language proficiency. 

SECTION 4. Section 51D of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding after the words “provided separately” the following words:- provided further that medication instructions are clear.