Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-392

EHS 392

Medication administration in rest homes

Mr. Moore moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:-

"SECTION __. (a) There shall be a task force to evaluate current best practices relative to medication administration in rest homes or residential care facilities and to make recommendations to strengthen the medication administration process. The task force shall include, but shall not be limited to, an examination of the following: (i) review of the current practice of utilizing responsible persons for medication administration to residents who cannot self-administer medications; (ii) review of other models of medication administration that may be currently in use at rest homes in Massachusetts or other states; (iii) review of other models of medication administration that may be in place in other residential or day programs  including the medication administration program that is used in community programs; (iv) to the extent possible, a review of all operational and financial considerations relative to implementing a new system for administering medications in a rest home or residential care facility.

(b) The task force shall consist of the secretary of health and human services, or their designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of public health, or their designee; the chairs of the joint committee on elder affairs, or their designees; and 5 members, 3 of whom shall be representatives from the Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes, Inc., 2 of whom shall be representatives of LeadingAge Massachusetts, Inc.

(c) The task force shall submit a report of its findings, including any recommendations or proposed legislative or regulatory language necessary to carry out its recommendations, to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and to the house and senate committees on ways and means, and to the joint committee on aging and independence not later than December 31, 2026."