Nicky's Law / The Abuse Registry Bill

There is presently no system to track individuals whose act of abuse against individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has been substantiated. The proposed legislation Nicky’s Law (H 4074/S 2367), also known as The Abuse Registry Bill, seeks to change that.

What is the current status of Nicky’s Law? 

On February 13, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker officially signed Nicky’s Law into law.

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The Chan family, with Nicky (second from right), the namesake of the bill
In 2017, 1,478 abuse reports were referred to the appropriate District Attorney’s Office (“DA”). Only 102 of those referrals resulted in criminal charges (less than 10%).
The Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) screened 11,395 cases in the past year. In FY 2017, a total of 2,571 investigations were deemed necessary through DPPC screening.

The Current Situation

In the last decade, the ratio of criminal charges to abuse case referrals have been in the range of 10%-15%. This real-life statistic meant that some other mechanism was needed to protect people with disabilities from caretakers who had committed substantiated incidents of abuse, but who had not been criminally charged or convicted.

The reality that someone can be substantiated for abuse as determined by the state agency responsible, namely the DPPC, but can work the following week, moth or year at another location with vulnerable individuals is simply wrong and against the public interest.

Maura Sullivan, the Chans, Senator Michael Moore, the Joyces, and Leo Sarkissian

The Proposed Solution

The solution: a “mandatory abuse registry” law. A bill filed by Senator Michael Moore and Representative Linda Campbell known as “Nicky’s Law” (similar to Dana’s Law filed last session by Senator O’Connor) initially targets caretakers funded through or working for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

The bills are filed as Senate 2367 and House 4074 (“An act to protect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from abuse”).

It is important to note that this bill is not a “criminal justice” bill. It is a protection against abuse and neglect and it is a way to restrict those who have been demonstrated to be abusive from working with vulnerable individuals. The DPPC reported rate of substantiation in 2018 was 15-17%. For sexual abuse cases, the reported rate from DPPC is 10-12%. The cases in which there are criminal charges are a subset of these cases. This bill does not make new recommendations in relation to the referrals to the DA’s or the courts.

Important Notes

The bill does require that the names of the staff persons (through state or private employment) be placed onto a registry against whom a substantiated finding of abuse of a person with I/DD has been issued by the DPPC. DDS and DDS funded providers would not be able to hire someone on that registry. The registry includes a comprehensive formal appeal process through the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA). Specifics on the registry and the level of abuse which rise to inclusion in the registry are left to regulation.

The bills filed this session have been negotiated with the Committee on Public Counsel Services to satisfy concerns on due process for those who are subject to the registry. The chart below demonstrates the gap closed by this legislation.

Important Nicky's Law Documents

Nicky's Law Fact Sheet

Due Process Outline for Nicky's Law

Presentation on Nicky's Law Updates and Testimonies

Nicky's Law Contacts

Leo Sarkissian

Executive Director
Sarkissian@arcmass.org
(781) 891-6270 x106

Maura Sullivan

Director of Government Affairs
Sullivan@arcmass.org
(781) 891-6270 x113

Nicky's Law News

three women and two men standing in a hallwayBudget & PolicyGovernment AffairsHealth PolicyNewsNicky's LawTurning 22Workforce Initiative
February 19, 2024

Joint Rule 10: Updates on the Status of Bills from The Arc’s Priority Platform

The Arc’s Government Affairs team is happy to share that 23 of our bills are still under consideration for possible passage this session. We are encouraged to see so many bills…
a group of people standing next to each otherGovernment AffairsNewsNicky's Law
August 31, 2023

Nicky’s Law: Abuse Registry Advocates Present at National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) Conference in Boston

This week, the Nicky and Dana’s Law team came together again to share the powerful journey of the passage of the Massachusetts Abuser Registry legislation at the National Adult Protective…
Government AffairsNewsNicky's Law
June 27, 2023

The Arc of Massachusetts Takes Part in Hearing in Support of Priority Bills Including Expanding Nicky’s Law, DPPC Language Bill, Katie’s Law

On Tuesday, June 27, The Arc’s Government Affairs team, our Government Affairs committee members, our Policy Intern, our advocacy partners and many other advocates, along with our dedicated legislative sponsors,…
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February 15, 2023

Act Now: Four Refiled Priority Bills In Need of Cosponsors – Contact Your Legislators Today

Dear Advocates, Thank you again for the great response to our workforce legislation and community training bills – over 1,200 letters have been sent to Representatives and Senators asking them…
Government AffairsNewsNicky's Law
March 28, 2022

Act Now: Contact Your Legislators To Support The Expansion of Nicky’s Law to Cover MassHealth Day Habilitation Providers

Please Support S137 - Abuse Registry Expansion An Act to allow MassHealth Day Habilitation providers to use the abuse registry Sponsor: Senator Mike Moore The Arc of Massachusetts needs your…
Government AffairsNewsNicky's Law
December 9, 2021

Act Now: Contact Your Legislators To Support Bills To Strengthen Nicky’s Law/Dana’s Law

Attention Nicky’s Law/Dana’s Law advocates! We need your help again! As you know, the Abuser Registry is up and running. We ask that you help us pass H218/S117, "An Act…