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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2052 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 198
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James C. Arena-DeRosa
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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 relative to ensuring the safety of residents of facilities under the authority of the
department of developmental services.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James C. Arena-DeRosa8th Middlesex1/15/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2052 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 198
By Representative Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 198)
of James C. Arena-DeRosa for legislation to authorize video cameras to be installed at entrances,
exits, and common areas of certain private facilities under the authority of the Department of
Developmental Services. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to ensuring the safety of residents of facilities under the authority of the
department of developmental services.
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. Chapter 19B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official
2Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof, the following new section:-
3 Section 21. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the
4following meaning:
5 “Common areas”, an area of a facility that all residents share, including but not limited to
6dining areas, recreational areas, meeting areas, and hallways."
7 (b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, video cameras shall be
8installed at all entrances, exits, and common areas of private facilities under the authority of the
9department of developmental services, including community-based residential homes, and group 2 of 2
10homes, for the purposes of continuously monitoring the entrances, exits, and common areas of
11these facilities.
12 (c) The department of developmental services shall promulgate rules and regulations
13detailing under what circumstances video cameras may be used in accordance with this section.
14The commissioner of the department of developmental services, in consultation with the
15executive office of public safety and security, shall establish a system for maintaining the
16recorded images produced by continuous video monitoring.