Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S486

Introduced
2/27/25  

Caption

To ensure resident safety within assisted living facilities

Impact

The bill seeks to amend Chapter 19D of the General Laws, making compliance with these new safety measures necessary for the certification of assisted living residences. This change underscores a commitment to the health and safety of residents, emphasizing that facilities are responsible for ensuring proper emergency response capabilities. By enforcing regulations around AED availability and CPR training, this bill could potentially decrease the incidence of fatalities resulting from cardiac arrests among residents, thus raising the standard of care in these facilities.

Summary

Senate Bill 486, titled 'An Act to ensure resident safety within assisted living facilities', aims to enhance the safety protocols within assisted living residences in Massachusetts. Specifically, the legislation mandates that each assisted living facility has a trained on-site Automated External Defibrillator (AED) provider available 24 hours a day, as well as an AED readily accessible on the premises. This is a significant step towards improving emergency preparedness in these facilities, addressing the immediate health risks that residents may face due to cardiac emergencies.

Contention

A point of contention may arise concerning how these regulations could impact the operational practices of assisted living facilities, especially regarding the requirement for trained staff on-site. Facilities may face challenges in hiring or retaining adequately trained staff, leading to concerns about the financial implications of compliance. Additionally, questions may also be raised regarding the balance between improving resident safety and the administrative burden such requirements may place on facility operators, which could influence their operational costs and overall service provision.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MA S390

To ensure resident safety within assisted living facilities

MA S387

Protecting the rights of assisted living residents

MA S388

Resolve relative to transparency and accountability for assisted living residences

MA H3927

Relative to assisted living facilities

MA S1417

Ensuring access to a resident representative in long-term care facilities

MA S1422

To improve infection control within long-term care facilities

MA H3912

Relative to automated external defibrillators in sporting facilities and stadiums

MA H617

Protecting the rights of assisted living residents

MA H2173

Requiring automatic external defibrillator devices in health clubs

MA H2051

Requiring automatic external defibrillators in Norfolk County public buildings

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.