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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 870 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 375
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patricia D. Jehlen
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act increasing the personal needs allowance for residents of long term care facilities.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patricia D. JehlenSecond MiddlesexRebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex1/23/2023 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 870 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 375
By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 375) of Patricia D. Jehlen and
Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to increase the personal care allowance of residents of long-
term care facilities. Elder Affairs.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 412 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act increasing the personal needs allowance for residents of long term care facilities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 117A of the General Laws is hereby amended by
2striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
3 Any person eligible for assistance under this chapter who is not maintaining his home and
4is receiving care in or residing in a licensed nursing facility, licensed chronic hospital, licensed
5rest home, or an approved public medical institution as defined in section 8 of chapter 118E,
6shall retain the first $100.00 of his monthly income for clothing, personal needs, and leisure
7activities. If there is no such income or if it is less than the amount of $100.00, such a person
8shall be paid monthly in advance the difference between such income and said amount. Said
9amount shall be increased annually each fiscal year at the same time and at the same percentage 2 of 3
10rate as increases payable to an individual who maintains his own home and receives state
11supplementary payments pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of chapter 118A.
12 SECTION 2. Chapter 118A of General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section
137A the following new section:-
14 Section 7B. Any person eligible for financial assistance under this chapter who is not
15maintaining his home and is in a licensed medical facility which is eligible for medical assistance
16payments pursuant to chapter 118E or is residing in a licensed rest home to which such person
17pays a fixed rate, shall retain the first $100.00 of his monthly income for clothing, personal
18needs, and leisure time activities. If there is no such income or if it is less than the amount of
19$100.00, such a person shall be paid monthly in advance the difference between such income and
20said amount. Said amount shall be increased annually each fiscal year at the same time and at the
21same percentage rate as increases payable to an individual who maintains his own home and
22receives state supplementary payments pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of this chapter.
23 SECTION 3. Section 15 of chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by
24striking the fourth paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
25 A person eligible for medical assistance under this chapter who is not maintaining his
26own home and is receiving care in a licensed nursing facility, a licensed chronic hospital, a
27licensed rest home, an approved public medical institution, or a public psychiatric institution
28shall retain the first $100.00 of his monthly income for clothing, personal needs, and leisure time
29activities. If there is no such income or if it is less than the amount of $100.00, such a person
30shall be paid monthly in advance the difference between such income and said amount. Said
31amount shall be increased annually each fiscal year at the same time and at the same percentage 3 of 3
32rate as increases payable to an individual who is maintaining his own home and who is receiving
33supplemental payments pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of chapter 118A.