Massachusetts S 1503: An Act relative to the safety of Autistic and Alzheimer's individuals

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 897 FILED ON: 2/9/2021
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1503

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
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.
_______________
PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS:
Patrick M. O'Connor Plymouth and Norfolk

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 897 FILED ON: 2/9/2021
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1503
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1503) 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. 1318 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
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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
2 mean any wearable device that: (i) is waterproof and able to function under water; (ii) is
3 compliant with IP66 and IP68 standards; (iii) is operational indoors or under cover; (iv) does not
4 require direct line of sight to the sky; (v) is independent of third-party public communication
5 networks, cellular, GSM, GPRS or similar; (vi) includes a tamper-resistant wrist or ankle strap
6 directly changeable by a caregiver; (vii) includes system specifics to avoid false alarms in order
7 not to avoid unnecessary law enforcement search and rescue efforts; and (viii) has a patient
8 specific code to avoid mistaken identities.
9 SECTION 2. The Prevention and Wellness Advisory Board, established under section 2H
10 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, shall make recommendations to the department of public

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11 health on the use of technology-assisted tracking devices to mitigate risks associated with
12 wandering for certain populations including, but not limited to, individuals with dementia,
13 autism spectrum disorder or Alzheimer’s disease.
14 The advisory board shall also review and make recommendations on ways to incorporate
15 the use of technology-assisted tracking devices into a pilot program funded through the
16 Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, established under section 2G of chapter 111 of the General
17 Laws to increase the safety of individuals with dementia, autism spectrum disorder or
18 Alzheimer’s disease.
19 The advisory board shall provide its recommendations to the department not later than
20 December 1, 2019. The department shall forward the board’s recommendations and a summary
21 of action items the department intends to undertake as a result of the board’s recommendations to
22 the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the house and senate chairs of the joint
23 committee on public health and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later
24 than December 1, 2022.