Mental Health Legislation
Would add OTs and OTAs to the list of licensed mental health professionals in MAWould ensure that OTPs are adequately reimbursed for critical mental health services across the state and across practice settings
February 7th, 2024 - Received a favorable report in the Joint Committee on Healthcare FinancingApril 5th, 2024 - Bill placed in study by its committee of secondary jurisdiction. This committee does not require a public hearing and reviews the overall cost of the bill. MAOT Lobbyist and bill sponsor, Representative Natalie Higgins, met with the staff and committee chair to reiterate key impact of bill, however, insurers weighed in that the price of the legislation is “more than what can be born at this time”.
MAOT is actively working with our lobbyist on continuing strategy to push the bill forward.
Licensure Compact Update
MassHealth Update
Mental Health Legislation
Bills S.550: An Act Relative to Mental Health Providers and H.1000: An Act Relative to Mental Health Providers are currently in the Joint Committee for Financial Services, chaired by Sen. James Welch and Rep. James Murphy . As this bill sits in committee, there is no announcement of next steps by the committee for any votes following our written and oral testimonies in July. But, we need help!
Mental Health Legislation Written Feedback
Based on member feedback, the lobbyist and MAOT leadership will not hold a gathering in the middle of MA on 12/11; rather, we will solicit written feedback to assist us.
From our lobbyist, Lisa Simonetti:
Passing a bill in Massachusetts is hard, it is designed to be hard. What might be a surprise to people is the legislature is not a proactive body. They are a slow and deliberative body which is frustrating, I understand.
There are many phases to a bills life, as many of you experienced when you testified, that is the public phase. Now, its the research phase. Its answering questions, its legal research, its correcting misinformation. Its boring and hard and has no guarantees.
So with that said we need your help; the legislature does not like to pass new mandates and they think this is a new mandate. I am trying to prove its not; I am hoping the information we gather from these questions will prove that.
Questions related to the OT/OTA bill:
1. Is this allowed in your licensure? If not then it needs to be addressed there and if so why is legislation needed?
2. OT/OTA services are currently reimbursed by payers. Both public and private? If so which payers cover it;
which ones do not? Please include Medicare and MassHealth in this response.
3. How are OT/OTA services accessed now? Referral? For what services ? Why can’t a referral be given for MHSU
through the same procedure now?
4. Is OT/OTA currently being reimbursed for MHSU services by any payers? If so which ones? In what settings is
OT/OTA paid for for MHSU?
Inpatient /Outpatient /Partial or Day programs?
Is it included in a bundled payment or day rate? Or is it reimbursed to the individual provider.
5. Are OT’s used by DMH or in any other state contracts? If so how is that happening in the contract or program
design with a rate built in
6. Is this possibly a parity violation issue that the med surg side of a policy pay for OT/OTA but the MHSU does
Non-compete
To address an audience question, "non-compete" is against Massachusetts State law, as of October 1, 2019.
Here is a link to more information if you are aware of this topic and would like some information.
Increased communication about MA Government Affairs
Please count on me to continue to provide you with a bimonthly update. To provide more structure (and keep you excited!), I will send an email by the 1st of every other month with any MA government relations issues, as well as solicit your feedback and personal experiences at this time.
Licensure Activity
On July 27, 2017, the Board of Allied Health voted on continuing competency regulations, 259 CMR 7.00 : Continuing Competence , and they passed unanimously. These were originally drafted in August 2016.
Massachusetts is one of four states that do not require continuing competency!
24 units per 2-year cycle will be required.
2 units must be ethics or laws and regulations governing practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
On August 24, 2017, the Board of Allied Health reviewed the regulations t hat were passed in May 2014.
These regulations were stalled and then put on hold by Governor Baker’s Executive Order 562 when he took office. With some edits/revisions, the regulations were again passed unanimously.
Both sets of regulations are proceeding through t he regulatory process. They will then be submitted for public comment and then become ef fe ctive .
There are no update s on these regulations as they are not yet effective.
A representative from MAOT attends most of the monthly Board of Allied Health meetings and reports back to MAOT membership.
Licensure Activity
The new legislative cycle will begin in January 2019.
Interest has been indicated with respect to telehealth and mental health parity legislation.
MAOT was part of the tMed Coalition supporting two health care bills (HB4639 and SB2573) for telemedicine. Unfortunately, these bil ls did not pass and MAOT will be monitoring similar bills with the tMed Coalition in the next Legislative Session.
MAOT was i n support of the comprehensive health care initiative-HB 2219 An Act to enhance access to high quality, affordable, and transparent health care in the Commonwealth.
Unfortunately, this bill did not pass and MAOT will be monitoring any similar b ills in th e next Legislative Session.
In the next legislative session, MAOT will be pursing mental health a nd school based practice issues.
We will continue to monitor any opportunities that present themselves for occupational therapy in the health, menta l health a n d education areas.
Licensure Activity
On July 27, 2017, the Board of Allied Health voted on continuing competenc y regulations, 259 CMR 7.00: Continuing Competence , and they passed unanimously. These were originally drafted in August 2016.
Massachusetts is one of four states that do not require continuing competency!
24 units per 2-year cycle will be required.
2 units must be ethics or laws and regulations governing practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
On August 24, 2017, the Board of Allied Health reviewed the regulations t hat were passed in May 2014.
These regulations were stalled and then put on hold by Governor Baker’s Executive Order 562: To Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Burden , when he took office. With some edits/revisions, the regulations were again passed unanimously.
Both sets of regulations are proceeding through t he regulatory process. They will then be submitted for public comment and then become ef fe ctive .
There are no update s on these regulations as they are not yet effective.
A representative from MAOT attends most of the monthly Board of Allied Health meetings and reports back to MAOT membership.
Legislative Activity
The legislative cycle began January 17, 2017.
Interest has been indicated with respect to telehealth and mental health parity legislation.
July 18, 2017 Testimony in support of Senate Bill 549 and House Bill 578: An Act Advancing and Expanding Access to Telemedicine Services
Advocacy/Health Care Reform/Access to Health Care
Participated in webinar and reviewed/edited documents for Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA).
Participated and reviewed documents for Health Care for All/Mental Health Parity-MAOT signed on to documents to various government agencies advocating mental health parity.
MAOT Board members participated in Mass Health Provider Association Forum meetings
We will continue to monitor any opportunities that present themselves for occupational therapy in the health, mental health and education areas.
For more information on legislative matters, go to http://www.malegislature.gov
Licensure activity
Since February 2008, members of MAOT have been actively involved in reviewing the statute and regulations for
occupational therapy. These regulations have not been revised since the implementation of licensure in 1984.
They are outdated and no longer reflect current practice or terminology. The occupational therapy profession has
undergone tremendous growth and change as a result of evolving health care systems, research, and advances
within health care education and practice.
As reported last year, with Governor Baker's term starting in January 2015, part of his transition was Executive Order 562: To Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Burden . He issued a "pause" on all boards, on all regulations. This "pause" concluded in June 2016.
All boards had to review CURRENT regulations (not the new proposed regulations that were approved by the Allied Health Board in May 2014) and eliminate the "confusing, unnecessary, redundant, and inconsistent".
Revisions in the spirit of Executive Order 352: Establishing an inter-agency disability services coordinating council were voted on by the Allied Health Board on October 21, 2015. Administration and Finance then had to review all of the changes submitted by the various professional boards and then the process of the public hearings could begin.
In June 2016, the revised regulations were approved by Administration and Finance. In summary, the proposed
changes to our outdated 1984 regulations as a result of Executive Order 352: Establishing an inter-agency disability services coordinating council included the following:
• Documentation-signature with the provider’s name, professional designation, and license number and
identification of types of documentation from the occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, and
occupational therapy aide.
• Co-signing of documentation-streamlining criteria for co-signing requirements
• Designations-OT, OTA, OT/s (OT student), OTA/s (OTA student), OT/c or OTA/c (OT or OTA applicants practicing
under the direction of a licensee)
MAOT requested additional changes:
1) Change all references from AOTCB to NBCOT. AOTCB disbanded in April 1996.
2) Replace the word “patient” with “client”. The term “client” is more inclusive and is more applicable to the variety of practice settings for occupational therapy.
3) Change all references to “occupational therapist assistant” to “occupational therapy assistant”.
4) Replace the words “treatment” or "services" to “intervention”. The term “intervention” is more inclusive and is
more applicable to the variety of practice settings for occupational therapy.
Administration and Finance agreed that changes should be made for “AOTCB” to “NBCOT”, changing “patient" to
“client”, and changing “occupational therapist assistant” to “occupational therapy assistant”.
Changing the term “treatment” to “intervention” was felt to be a more significant change than was in the spirit of Executive Order 562 which stated, "no Agency shall promulgate a new regulation which has not been reviewed pursuant to this Order and does not meet the standards set out in this Order.”
On August 1, 2016, MAOT submitted comments to John Chapman, Undersecretary, Massachusetts Office on
Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations, advocating changes in order to update our professional licensure
On August, 2, 2016, a representative from MAOT attended a listening session at Office of Consumer Affairs and provided oral testimony advocating changes in order to update our professional licensure regulations and making corrections on the mass.gov website to change all references from "occupational therapist assistant" to "occupational therapy assistant".
On August 19, 2016, representatives from MAOT and AOTA presented oral testimony and written comments to the Board of Allied Health Professionals in favor of the proposed (limited) changes and advocated additional changes in order to update our professional licensure regulations.
On August 25, 2016, the Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals held a Subcommittee Meeting regarding Continuing Competency. Draft regulations were developed. Key points include:
• Continuing education for 24 units per licensing cycle (every 2 years) with the same requirements for OT and
OTA and PT and PTA.
• Activities can come from a variety of avenues with some limits on the number of units in various categories
(similar to NBCOT).
• Lapsed licenses will be subject to additional requirements.
• The Allied Health Board will conduct audits. Documentation must be kept by the licensee.
• The Allied Health Board will have the ability to suspend, require additional units, pay a fine, etc.
• Requirements will include 2 units of jurisprudence and 2 units of ethics per licensing cycle
Next steps
• Proposed regulations will be edited and reviewed by the whole Allied Health Board.
• The State will need to have the "pause" lifted (per the Executive Order 562) in order to go forward in the process for continuing competency regulations.
In August 2016, MAOT submitted edits to the Board of Registration of Allied Health Professionals website to change all references from :occupational therapist assistant" to "occupational therapy assistant".
And they were done!
Licensure is now online! DPL is in process of reviewing vendor for Allied Health.
The PCS contract is up for renewal.
On September 21, 2016, representatives from OT, AT, and PT met with Charles Borstel, Director of Division of
Professional Licensure, and Robert Fortes, Deputy Director for Policy and Boards, to discuss continued concerns with outdated regulations and plans to move forward with further revisions.
On October 27, 2016, the revised regulations were voted on by the Board of Allied Health. These revised
regulations will be submitted on November 4, 2016 and changes will take effect on November 18, 2016.
The changes were published on the website on December 14, 2016.
PCS will be notified of the changes for licensure candidates.
Legislative Activity
November 2015 - Provided testimony in support of Senate Bill 556, An Act Relative to make habilitative services
available to the children of the Commonwealth.
March 2016 - A bill was submitted regarding telehealth, but it failed.
June 2016 - Conditionally supported Bill H.176: An Act Establishing a board of registration in physical therapy , as long as all three boards can split into separate boards.
The next legislative cycle begins January 17, 2017.
Interest has been indicated with respect to telehealth and mental health parity legislation.
Health Care Reform/Access to Health Care
On April 28, 2016, a MAOT representative attended an initial organizational meeting, Health Care for All-Mental
Health Parity Coalition. This a Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access and Parity Advocacy Project. MAOT has
attended subsequent meetings and has signed on to letters to various government agencies advocating mental
We continue to work on having occupational therapy included in new Mental Health initiatives that are available to 24 states from SAMSHA.
We will continue to monitor any opportunities that present themselves for occupational therapy in the health, mental health and education areas.
Licensure activity
• Updated licensure regulations were approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Allied Health
Professionals in May 2014.
Unfortunately they sat in transit to Governor Patrick's office for approval and public hearing.
He issued a "pause" on all boards, on all regulations. This "pause" will conclude in June 2016.
The Executive Order now requires all boards to review CURRENT regulations (not the new proposed regs) and eliminate the "confusing, unnecessary, redundant, and inconsistent".
• At the Allied Health Board meeting in May 2015, it was reported that the new proposed regulations would be considered too lengthy, particularly in contrast to our current, outdated, regulations and would not be looked upon favorably. However, some of the new regulations may in fact satisfy the executive order to eliminate the "confusing, unnecessary, redundant, and inconsistent".
There is a reasonable expectation that the proposed regulations will be changed and it will be about reducing.
The purpose is based on the Office of Consumer Affairs with the questions,
"Are the regulations going to make it more difficult to become licensed?"
"Is there an additional burden to the consumer or licensee?"
The executive order requires ALL agencies to review their current regulations.
• A listening session was held on June 25, 2015. Representatives from OT and PT attended.
AT representatives were not available as they were at their national conference.
Additionally, written comments were submitted by MAOT on behalf of OT practitioners.
• The State has opened a portal for public comments as part of the Executive Order.
In July 2015, MAOT submitted written comments to this portal and it has been acknowledged that our letter was received.
• In August, representatives from OT, AT, and PT have met with Charles Borstel, Director of Division of Professional Licensure, and Robert Fortes, Deputy Director for Policy and Boards, to discuss concerns with outdated regulations and the impact of the Executive Order.
The Allied Health Board, Mr. Borstel, and Mr. Fortes were provided with additional documentation about continuing education requirements in the State of Massachusetts and nationally. For the Division of Professional Licensure, there are 28 boards. Twenty two (22) have continuing education requirements, 3 are under development, and 3 do not have any requirements (Barbers/Cosmetologists, Landscape Architects, and Allied Health Professionals).
For the 50 states, only 6 do not have continuing education requirements for occupational therapy providers, Massachusetts being one of them.
• For the September Board meeting, MAOT submitted additional written comment regarding typographical errors and clarification of the screening process.
• For the October Board meeting, MAOT submitted suggestions for revisions to the current/outdated regulations to clear up "confusing" and "inconsistent" language, such as references to the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board (AOTCB) which disbanded in 1996, use of client versus patient, use of intervention versus treatment or services, referencing occupational therapy assistant versus occupational therapist assistant, and clarifying signature designations to OT/L and OTA/L.
At the October meeting, the Board focused on clarifying language under designations and signatures, supervision, and documentation. Revisions were voted upon and approved.
MAOT will be requesting a copy of this new document.
• The Executive Office for Administration and Finance is holding listening sessions throughout the state to hear feedback on all Executive Branch regulations. Representatives from MAOT attended a meeting on October 28th and presented testimony regarding outdated regulations and the impact of the Executive Order. This was chaired and attended by 9 executive officials and OT was able to "bend their ear" as this session had only one other testimony.
Some of the feedback from this listening session suggests that there is an acknowledgement that a complete overhaul of regulations may be the way to go. This group was also provided with copies of letters sent to the Board since January 2013 and the additional documentation about continuing education requirements in the State of Massachusetts and nationally.
• As part of our national organization, AOTA, the Representative Assembly started meeting on October 28th.
One section of the policies that are being reviewed is that licensure and legislation should include minimum continuing competence requirements for license renewal.
Legislative Activity
MAOT is watching and reviewing a number of bills filed for habilitation services, concussion management, and redefining/separation of the Allied Health Board into separate components.
PT has filed to become a separate board.
We continue the discussion that we would like to be separate board and even consider moving from Division of Professional Licensure to Department of Public Health.
Health Care Reform/Access to Health Care
We will be working over the next year to have occupational therapy included in some possible new Mental Health initiatives that are available to 24 states from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).
We will continue to monitor any opportunities that present themselves for occupational therapy in the health, mental health and education areas.
For more information on legislative matters, go to www.malegislature.gov
On Friday, November 7, 2014, MAOT held its annual Conference.
At this event, Lisa Simonetti, MAOT Lobbyist, and Karen Hefler, MAOT Government Relations Representative reported on the current legislative happenings related to Occupational Therapy practice.
Testimonies Submitted:
Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Status: Accompanied a study order
Status: Accompanied a study order
Status: Accompanied a study order
• Testimo ny in opposition of Senate Bill 989 Of The 188th General Court Of The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts: An Act Relative to the Registration of Clinical Exercise Physiologists
Status: Accompanied a study order
Status: Accompanied a study order
Status: Accompanied a study order
Status: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to committee on House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling, discharged to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
• The next legislative session begins and bills need to be filed by January 16, 2015.
Licensure Activity
Updated occupational therapy licensure regulations have been approved by Massachusetts Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals as of May 28, 2014.
We are still awaiting final drafts and public hearing.
No specifics were discussed at the May meeting. However, continuing education is not addressed at this time.
The regulations primarily updated definitions, standards of practice, supervision, and documentation.
Continuing education is an issue for all boards in the Division of Professional Licensure (DPL).
Reportedly, this will be addressed later under General Provisions, but this process has not been defined.
As a profession, we will need to look at the document carefully when it is posted. Language for students is not specifically defined in the new OT regulations, however it is reportedly addressed in the AT and PT regulations.
We will need to take time as a group to dissect this carefully. Updated AT and PT regulations were also approved.
Next steps: The document will go to governor's office for approval. Once approved, there will be a public comment period. The document will become a public document and it will be posted on Allied Health web site.
We can address issues then.
Allied Health Board Vacancies
There are two open positions for Occupational Therapists on the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals.
Members of the boards of registration are appointed by the Governor and serve on a voluntary basis.
Board members serve for a term of three years.
The current Occupational Therapists on this Board cannot be re-appointed due to the statute of limitations.
Additional activity
Mental health parity has passed and is supposed to be in place.
The Department of Insurance (DOI) is supposed to be asserting that appropriations are appropriate and insurers are complying by October 1st, 2013. However this has not happened.
Health Law Advocates are lawyers specializing in mental health law who help consumers get access to mental health and substance abuse services. They do letter writing to the DOI, stay on top of the DOI, and fight for the consumer.
MAOT is now part of that email list and communication.
Letters have been submitted by this group to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and Health Policy Commission regarding the Beacon/ValueOptions merger regarding impact on behavioral health services.
On Friday, November 8, 2013, MAOT held its annual Conference.
At this event, Lisa Simonetti, the MAOT Lobbyist, and Karen Hefler, MAOT Government Relations Representative, reported on the current legislative happenings related to Occupational Therapy practice.
Testimonies submitted
MAOT also submitted House Bill 2079 in 2009 to separate into three separate boards
Testimonies pending
Hearing: Scheduled 11/13/13 @ 1 p.m.
Hearing: Scheduled 11/13/13 @ 1 p.m.
• Testimony in support of Bill H.429: An Act to Prevent Concussion and Head InjuryLicensure activity
• Updated licensure regulations have been submitted to Massachusetts Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals. Still awaiting final drafts and public hearing.
• Two letters sent to Massachusetts Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals in January and March 2013 about delay in regulations
• Attended board meeting in May 2013 - OT and AT regulations are done, PT regulations are 80% done.
There will be a review by the entire Massachusetts Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals, and then regulations are sent to the Office of Consumer Affairs, and then out for public review and comment.
• Requested copies of meeting minutes from 23 board meetings and subcommittee meetings.
Received packet, no minutes for 9 of the meetings (either meetings did not occur or minutes are missing). Information in minutes is minimalist.
Will attend next Massachusetts Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals meeting that has licensure on agenda.
• There is an open position for an Occupational Therapy Assistant on the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals.
• Members of the boards of registration are appointed by the Governor and serve on a voluntary basis.
• Board members serve for a term of three years.
• Currently there is no representation for OTA's on this Board.
Networking with Mass PT Association and Mass AT Association
• Met with PT President and PT Lobbyist at State House, contacted AT President and AT Government Relations Rep
• Follow up email to PT and AT regarding networking, developing cooperative approach to licensure board, co-sponsoring bills
Health Care Reform/Access to Health Care
• The impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will cause minimal changes to Massachusetts residents since we were the leaders in Mandated Health Insurance since 2006.
• OT services were then and are now considered essential and therefore covered.
• Mental health parity is still an issue.
• Massachusetts is on the next track of global or bundled payment to reduce costs and we will keep you appraised of these developments.
Testimonies submitted
Licensure Activity
• Updated licensure regulations have been submitted to Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professionals.
Still awaiting hearing.
Health Care Reform/Access to Health Care
• Chapter 224 signed into law on August 6, 2012 for Cost Containment
• Special Session on Mental Health Parity for compliance with Federal Mental Health Parity Law
Testimonies Submitted
Licensure Activity
• Reviewed and submitted updated licensure regulations to Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professionals
Federal activity
• Submitted letter with comments on Proposed Rule: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Establishment
and Qualified Health Plans
Additional proposed legislation of interest
On Tuesday, April 26th MAOT held our annual lobby Day event at the State House to celebrate OT Month as well as provide an opportunity for OTs and OTAs across the state an opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and how it relates to Occupational Therapy.
This year’s Lobby Day was a huge success, not only did we have 10 participants, but we had 3 non-members participate and learn more about MAOT. Our membership is an important part of the mission of MAOT, we want to give back and continue to support Occupational Therapy in Massachusetts.
Our event was sponsored by Representative Ruth Balser and our Lobbyist, Lisa Simonetti, was also present. Rep. Balser and Lisa spoke to the attendees about the importance of lobbying, being involved and networking when it comes to issues which relate to OT. Rep. Balser reviewed the process of a bill becomes law in Massachusetts and how each person’s voice is heard. Lisa reviewed Health Care Reform and the potential impact on OT. At the end of the presentation Rep. Balser presented MAOT with a House Resolution recognizing Occupational Therapy in Massachusetts.
MAOT is very proud to receive this Resolution and honored to share it with you, our members.
Thank you for being part of MAOT and making Occupational Therapy a vital part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Recently the governor signed Bill H.3285: An Act Relative to Safe Driving .
This bill combined some of the initiatives that MAOT has been working on in a bill that we initially filed years ago. The bill includes bans on texting and cell phone use while driving, however it also includes some important measures aimed at improving the way seniors renew their licenses and addresses reporting unsafe drivers.
First, this bill requires drivers 75 and older to renew licenses at a registry office as opposed to online renewals.
It also requires this same group to pass a vision test every 5 years in order to drive.
Lastly, the bill gives healthcare workers, including OTs, the ability to report unsafe drivers to the registry with immunity from civil liability.
The bill will not take effect until October.
Members
Recently there has been some legislative action that MAOT has been involved in that we would like to update our membership on. Members of the board have recently provided testimony at the statehouse on various bills that we are sponsoring in this legislative session.
We currently are supporting three bills: House Bill 2079: An Act Relative to Increasing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Board of Allied Health , aims at modifying the current structure of the Board of Allied Health. The goal of this bill is to give each discipline (occupational therapy, physical therapy and athletic trainers) its own section on the board. We feel that occupational therapists should be responsible for determining their own practice regulations, handling complaints and disciplinary action, as well as reviewing and granting licenses. By restructuring the board it will allow occupational therapy issues to be addressed by those most knowledgeable about the profession.
House Bill 2083: An Act Relative to the Expiration Date of Professional Licenses at the Board of Allied Health . In 2007 the Board of Allied Health inadvertently released personal information that included date of birth and social security numbers of licensed occupational therapists in the state of Massachusetts. Currently, licenses expire every two years on a lincesee's birth date. In order to protect this information, House Bill 2083 proposes to change the expiration date to birth month. We feel that this change will provide greater protection against identity theft.
The last bill we are sponsoring in this legislative session is Bill S.1900 An Act Relative to Driver Impairment. Much has been reported in the media recently about older drivers and there are currently a number of bills before the legislature that look at the issue of older drivers.
Bill 1900 proposes further study of driver impairment by forming a commission of experts to include representatives of, but not limited to: the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the Secretary of Elder Affairs, a member of the Mass. Psychiatric Society, a member of MAOT, a member of the Mass. Medical Society specializing in brain injuries and a member of the auto insurance industry.
The goal of this commission is to make recommendations that shall include the following: development of programs within the registry to evaluate the impaired driver including standards of what is an adequate driving evaluation, formation of a multidisciplinary team to assist in the development of standards as well as in the conducting of the evaluation. Other recommendations include: availability of alternative means of transportation, driver re-education programs, health or auto insurance reimbursement for driver reeducation or rehabilitation programs. The commission will also look at who may report to the registry of motor vehicles and protection of the reporter from civil liability.
We feel that our bill is more comprehensive and not only looks at the issue of evaluating impaired drivers but also the accessibility of community mobility alternatives if driving retirement is necessary.
Over the past month members of the MAOT Executive Board and myself have provided testimony to legislators on these bills with the help of our lobbyist Lisa Simonetti we hope to see these bills continue to progress thru the legislative process.
