Amendment #97 to H4000

Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children

Mr. Galvin of Canton moves to amend the bill by inserting after section 78 the following section:

SECTION 78a. (a) There shall be established a special legislative commission pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to conduct a comprehensive investigation and study into the future of the Pappas rehabilitation hospital for children, as designated in chapter 87 of the acts of 2016, formerly known as the Massachusetts hospital school. Said investigation and study include, without limitation, a review of the hospital’s finances, programs, pediatric services and infrastructure. The special legislative commission shall be authorized to expend any funds appropriated to said special legislative commission.

(b) The special legislative commission shall be comprised of: the chairs of the joint committee on public health who shall co-chair the commission; 1 member appointed by the president of the senate; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; the commissioner of the department of public health, or their designee; the commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education or their designee; the commissioner of the division of capital asset management and maintenance or their designee; 6 members to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Select Board of the town of Canton; 1 of whom shall be the parent of a current patient at the hospital; 1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Nurses Association currently employed at the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children; 1 of whom shall be a member of the Service Employees International Union currently employed at the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children; 1 of whom shall be a pediatrician licensed to practice medicine in the commonwealth; and 1 of whom shall be a person with experience in health care finance and management.

(c) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, services provided to patients of the Pappas rehabilitation hospital for children, as designated in chapter 87 of the acts of 2016, formerly known as the Massachusetts hospital school shall not be reduced or eliminated, nor shall the Pappas rehabilitation hospital for children, as designated in chapter 87 of the acts of 2016, formerly known as the Massachusetts hospital school be closed or consolidated with any other facility until: (i) the special legislative commission files its report pursuant to subsection (d); and (ii) legislation has been filed and enacted pursuant to Part 2, Chap. 1, Sec. 1, Art. II of the Constitution.

(d) The special legislative commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including recommendations for proposed legislation, if any, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than December 31, 2026.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #97 to H4000

Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children