The bill outlines the operations of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) in Massachusetts, which investigates abuse against individuals with disabilities. It highlights the DPPC's 24-hour hotline for reporting abuse, the establishment of the DPPC Abuser Registry to prevent care providers with substantiated abuse findings from working with vulnerable individuals, and the agency's collaboration with state departments and law enforcement. The report also emphasizes the importance of education and training in preventing abuse, detailing initiatives like the Learning and Development Unit and the Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities initiative.
Furthermore, the bill presents a report on the DPPC's criminal investigations for fiscal year 2024, noting a total of 1,103 criminal cases, including 432 sexual crimes, and illustrating a significant increase in intakes referred to District Attorneys over the years. It includes updates to the DPPC's contact information, specifically a new website URL, DPPCMass.gov, and encourages the public to report suspected abuse through the hotline. The report concludes with contact details for DPPC staff to facilitate further inquiries and assistance.