Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-572

EHS 572

Public Input Relative to Nursing Home Ownership or Name Changes

Mr. Driscoll moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after Section 60, the following new section:

Section XX. Chapter 30A of the general laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 1D, the following new section:

Section 1E. The department of public health shall, upon application for name change, transfer or ownership or of closure of any facility licensed pursuant to the provision of chapter 111, or on petition of ten taxpayers, hold a public hearing including availability for both in-person and virtual testimony via Zoom or Teams and any other appropriate media, and shall notify the applicant, the chief executive of the municipality in which the affected facility or facilities may be located, the facility resident and family council, any labor organization that represents employees of the facility, that area agency on aging and aging services access point in which the facility is located, members of the General Court in whose district the facility may be located, and by publishing notice on the department official web site and the web site of the affected facility or facilities. Notice shall be provided in English, any language that is the primary language of the affected residents, and any other language required by law or regulation. No transfer of ownership or closure shall occur prior to said public hearing and publication of the findings of said hearing by the Department.