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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 477 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1600
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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 the safety of Autistic and Alzheimer's individuals.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 477 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1600
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1600) of Patrick M. O'Connor for
legislation relative to the safety of Autistic and Alzheimer's individuals. Public Health.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1445 OF 2023-2024.]
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 the safety of Autistic and Alzheimer's individuals.
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. For the purposes of this section, “technology-assisted tracking device” shall
2mean any wearable device that: (i) is waterproof and able to function under water; (ii) is
3compliant with IP66 and IP68 standards; (iii) is operational indoors or under cover; (iv) does not
4require direct line of sight to the sky; (v) is independent of third-party public communication
5networks, cellular, GSM, GPRS or similar; (vi) includes a tamper-resistant wrist or ankle strap
6directly changeable by a caregiver; (vii) includes system specifics to avoid false alarms in order
7not to avoid unnecessary law enforcement search and rescue efforts; and (viii) has a patient
8specific code to avoid mistaken identities.
9 SECTION 2. The Prevention and Wellness Advisory Board, established under section 2H
10of chapter 111 of the General Laws, shall make recommendations to the department of public 2 of 2
11health on the use of technology-assisted tracking devices to mitigate risks associated with
12wandering for certain populations including, but not limited to, individuals with dementia,
13autism spectrum disorder or Alzheimer’s disease.
14 The advisory board shall also review and make recommendations on ways to incorporate
15the use of technology-assisted tracking devices into a pilot program funded through the
16Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, established under section 2G of chapter 111 of the General
17Laws to increase the safety of individuals with dementia, autism spectrum disorder or
18Alzheimer’s disease.
19 The advisory board shall provide its recommendations to the department not later than
20December 1, 2025. The department shall forward the board’s recommendations and a summary
21of action items the department intends to undertake as a result of the board’s recommendations to
22the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the house and senate chairs of the joint
23committee on public health and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later
24than December 1, 2026.