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H282 • 2025

An Act to increase the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment

An Act to increase the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment

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Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
David M. Rogers
Last action
2026-04-16
Official status
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act to increase the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment

An Act to increase the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act to increase the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
  • 282) of David M.
  • Rogers and others relative to the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment.
  • Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-16 House

    Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

  2. 2025-12-29 House

    Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing

  3. 2025-08-27 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in B-2

  4. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

  5. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

Official Summary Text

An Act to increase the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment
By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 282) of David M. Rogers and others relative to the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
Status:
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
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Bill H.282

SECTION 1. Section 51D of Chapter 111 is hereby amended by striking lines 82 to 84, inclusive, and inserting thereof the following:-

(6) scheduled follow-up medical appointments or verification that such information was provided separately;

(7) descriptions of any pharmaceutical, rehabilitative, or life-supporting technology, machinery, or equipment required to maintain medical stability, together with instructions for maintenance and upkeep of said technology; and

(8) such other information as the department may require.

SECTION 2. Said section 51D is hereby further amended by adding, after the word “services” in line 154, the following:-

Prior to the release of a client of the department from acute, chronic, or long-term care from a hospital, the hospital shall communicate the discharge plan and provisions for aftercare services to registered nurse or licensed practical nurse employed at the patient’s residence or, in the case of a client with intellectual or developmental disabilities, residential facility. In the case of a client with intellectual or developmental disabilities, prior to the release of a client from a hospital, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who receives a discharge plan must review the discharge plan with particular adherence to requirements to maintain life-supporting technology, machinery, or equipment used in the client’s residence or residential facility, as well as any individualized education program or individualized service plan that exists under the client’s name, and must sign in writing to acknowledge a full understanding of the requirements of the discharge plan and knowledge of any individualized education program or individualized service plan. The registered nurse or licensed practical nurse shall advise any residential facility personnel, family members, and personal care attendants on the requirements of the discharge plan, as well as any hospital recommendations, to ensure constant protection and safety of the client.

SECTION 3. The department of public health shall develop guidelines and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. The department of public health shall conduct any necessary public awareness campaigns necessary to publicize the provisions of this Act and to ensure that families of clients, hospitals, and medical facilities are aware of their respective rights and responsibilities under this Act. The department shall post on its website guidance, regulations, and any other informational materials that may assist clients’ families, hospitals, and medical facilities in the implementation of and compliance with this Act.

SECTION 4. This act shall go into effect immediately upon its passage.

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