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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2249 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1614
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jacob R. Oliveira
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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 ensuring home care patient safety.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Jacob R. OliveiraHampden, Hampshire and Worcester 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2249 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1614
By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1614) of Jacob R. Oliveira for
legislation to ensure home care for high-risk patients. Public Health.
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 ensuring home care patient safety.
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 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by inserting in section 236 subsection (f):-
3 Definition
4 “High Risk Patient”: Suffering from a series of chronic conditions that challenge the
5ability to access care. This may include but not limited to dementia, conditions resulting from
6diabetes related complications, stroke, and heart related issues.
7 A home health care agency shall ensure it receives the most updated treatment plan and
8the most updated medication list from both the primary care doctor and hospital including when
9a high risk patient is discharged.
10 SECTION 2. Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
11is hereby amended by inserting in section 72 G the following:- 2 of 2
12 A home care agency shall take specific steps for high risk patients to ensure critical
13services including medication administration to high risk patients are not disrupted, and shall
14provide the most updated medication information including any changes to home visiting nurses.
15A home health agency shall ensure a substitute home visiting nurse has the most updated
16medication list and updated administration steps.
17 In cases where a home visiting nurses locks medication, a home health care agency shall
18ensure a high risk patient always has supply of critical medications.
19 In case of inadvertent medical errors, a home visiting nurse shall report to medical errors
20to primary doctor and inform family members.
21 A home health care agency shall further establish a scheduling notification system for
22home visiting nurses, a high risk patient’s primary care doctor and family members.
23 There shall be a commission to study the rising needs of an increasing elder adult
24population including in low-income communities and causes of patient harm in home health
25care. The commission shall study the causes of medical errors that result in patient harm
26including in high risk patients, the challenges for health care workers, and make
27recommendations to ensure the safety of patients, quality of home health care, and reduction of
28patient harm including in high risk patient populations.