AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A LONG TERM AND CONGREGATE CARE CORONAVIRUS TRANSMISSION REDUCTION GUIDANCE REPORT
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide forthwith for a long term and congregate care coronavirus transmission reduction guidance report, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health and convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
The department of public health shall issue a report detailing the rules, regulations, guidance and best practices in place as of the effective date of this act to prevent the transmission of the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, from patients being discharged from hospital facilities to nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers and other congregate care facilities. The report shall include summaries and references to the rules, regulations, guidance and best practices on: (i) testing patients, including the frequency of testing; (ii) testing staff, including the frequency of testing; (iii) protocols related to non-COVID-19 hospitalizations, including discharge procedures; (iv) protocols related to COVID-19 hospitalizations, including discharge procedures; (v) the use of personal protective equipment for patients over 70 years of age, including for staff who directly treat said patients; and (vi) precautions for the transfer of patients from a hospital facility to a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center or other congregate care facility.
No later than February 1, 2021, the department of public health shall make the report publicly available on the department’s website and submit the report to the clerks of the house and senate, the joint committee on public health and the joint committee on elder affairs.
House of Representatives, January 5, 2021.
This Bill having been returned by His Excellency the Governor with his objections thereto in writing (see House 5224) has been passed by the House of Representatives, notwithstanding said objections, two-thirds of the House (122 yeas to 30 nays) having agreed to pass the same.
Sent to the Senate for its action.
Ronald Mariano, Speaker.
Steven T. James, Clerk.
Senate, January 5, 2021.
Passed by the Senate, notwithstanding the objections of His Excellency the Governor, two-thirds of the members present (37 yeas to 2 nays) having approved the same.
Karen E. Spilka, President.
Michael D. Hurley, Clerk.
Office of the Secretary.
January 8, 2021.