Massachusetts Legislation Aims to Identify Caregiver Abuse

Per a recent news article, a bill that would create a state registry that identifies individuals who have been credibly accused of abusing people with intellectual or developmental disabilities was unanimously approved by the Massachusetts House.  The bill would require the state’s Disabled Persons Protections Commission (DPPC) to establish the registry, which is intended to prevent providers who work with people with developmental disabilities and who have been credibly accused of abuse from being able to move from job to job.  The DPPC would have to use a “preponderance of evidence” standard when reviewing a report that a provider had engaged in abuse – meaning that it is more likely than not that the stated facts are true.  The legislation will now head back to the state Senate, which unanimously approved a similar bill in October. The Senate will have to vote again on the updated bill. After that, it will head to Governor Charlie Baker, who has not said whether he will sign the bill.

Source: Greenfield Recorder

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