(Boston 7/28/2022) Today the House and Senate both unanimously adopted and enacted the final legislation reported from the Veterans’ Homes Conference Committee. Along with the passage, a Senate Working Group chaired by Senator John Velis was also created to oversee implementation of the bill and act on areas that may require additional legislation.
Among other pieces, the final legislation:
- Elevates the Department of Veterans Services to a cabinet-level executive office with direct reporting to the Governor and the ability to hire and fire superintendents
- Requires Superintendent to have nursing home administrator license, and clarifies that Superintendent oversees day-to-day management and operation of Home
- Requires two annual home inspections by Department of Health
- Creates independent Office of the Veteran Advocate
- Maintains local Board of Trustees and creates statewide advisory “Veterans’ Home Council”
“We are mindful that issues and circumstances may arise that compel additional thought, reassessment, and legislative action and that work will continue,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “To that end, I am creating a Senate working group, chaired by Senator John Velis to review implementation of this important bill, identify and act on issues that may arise requiring additional legislation, and work with the Administration to ensure the reforms contained within are implemented as the Legislature intended.”
“From streamlining the chain of command and clarifying the responsibilities of the Superintendent, to elevating the Veterans Secretary to cabinet level and expanding the Department of Public Health’s role, this legislation contains important improvements for our Commonwealth’s Veterans’ Homes,” said Senator Velis. “At the same time, we know that this work must continue. The working group established will allows us to have oversight over this implementation, to identify what we need to improve on further, and to continue to work to ensure that the tragedy that took place at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home never happens again.”
With the legislation now enacted, it now goes to Governor Baker for his consideration.
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