The Arc of Massachusetts is pleased to announce that the bill known as Nicky’s Law was officially signed by Governor Charlie Baker on February 13, 2020.
The bill authorizes a registry to hold the names of employees who have committed acts of substantiated abuse which have resulted in serious physical injury or serious emotional injury for adults served by the Department of Developmental Services. The registry will be housed at the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC). For more background on the registry, visit www.arcmass.org/abuseregistry.
“Our community is grateful that Nicky’s law has completed its journey and is now law in the Commonwealth! Persons with disabilities served through the Department of Developmental Services will be assured that individuals who have abused in the past won’t be able to hurt others again,” said Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director of The Arc of Massachusetts.
He continued, “We look forward to the full implementation of the registry with the awareness that it has the full support of the Administration and Legislatures. All of us at The Arc, as well as families and colleagues feel strong appreciation to the Senate President Karen Spilka, Chair of Senate Ways and Means Michael Rodrigues, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Chair of House Ways and Means Aaron Michlewitz, and their colleagues for bringing this registry bill through the appropriate processes for successful passage.”
The bill advanced with the strong leadership of our bill sponsors, Senator Michael Moore and Representative Linda Dean Campbell, as well as dedicated efforts from Representative Kay Khan, Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, and others.
Massachusetts is now the 27th state to have a registry, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA). Thank you, Governor Baker and all of the legislature, on behalf of Nicky, Dana, and all the individuals who have suffered abuse at the hands of a caretaker.
For 65 years, The Arc of Massachusetts has been working to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families. We fulfill this through advocacy for community supports and services that foster social inclusion, self-determination, and equity across all aspects of society. To learn more, visit www.arcmass.org, follow @TheArcofMass on Twitter, or join our Facebook community.
