Dear advocates,
The Massachusetts Senate is taking up a supplemental budget, and The Arc of Massachusetts is advocating for 2 amendments that would add language from our Nicky’s Law expansion bills (S139/S165).
This is likely the last major opportunity for progress on this topic before the end of the year—we need your help to urge the State Senate to support these important protections for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism across Massachusetts.
Nicky’s Law, signed into law in March 2020, established an abuse registry managed by the Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities (CPPD). The registry helps protect people with IDD by preventing individuals with substantiated findings of registrable abuse from being hired to work with this population. Currently, these protections apply to individuals receiving services through Department of Developmental Services (DDS)-funded programs. However, a gap remains and those receiving services in MassHealth Day Habilitation programs are not currently covered by the protections of the registry.
Amendment 56 (filed by Sen. Moore) and amendment 73 (filed by Sen. Kennedy) close this gap by ensuring that MassHealth Day Habilitation providers are required to check the abuse registry before making hiring decisions. Amendment 73 also includes important updates to the statute governing the Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities, which administers the registry.
The Arc of Massachusetts is strongly supporting amendments 56 and 73. Please take a moment to contact your Senator today.
