H 5509

SECTION 1. (a) There shall be a task force to evaluate current best practices and make recommendations to strengthen medication administration in rest homes, as defined in Section 71 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws. The task force shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of the following: (i) a review of the current practice of utilizing responsible persons, as defined in 105 CMR 150.001, for medication administration to residents who cannot self-administer medications; (ii) review of other models of medication administration that may be currently in use at rest homes in Massachusetts or other states; (iii) review of other models of medication administration that may be in place in other residential or day programs, including the Medication Administration Program authorized by Section 7 of Chapter 94C of the General Laws that is used in community programs, as defined in 105 CMR 700.001; and (iv) to the extent possible, a review of all operational and financial factors relative to implementing a new system for administering medications in a rest home. (b) The task force shall consist of the secretary of health and human services, or their designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of public health, or their designee; the chairs of the joint committee on aging and independence, or their designees; and 5 members, 3 of whom shall be representatives from the Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes, Inc., 2 of whom shall be representatives of LeadingAge Massachusetts, Inc. (c) The task force shall submit a report of its findings, including any recommendations or proposed legislative or regulatory language necessary to carry out its recommendations, to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on aging and independence not later than December 31, 2026.