The bill outlines the operations of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) in Massachusetts, which is tasked with investigating 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. It shows a significant increase in intakes referred to District Attorneys over the years, with new figures such as 2305, 2214, and 1698 being inserted into the report, while previous figures like 1876 and 1427 have been deleted. The report also updates the DPPC's website to include DPPCMass.gov for easier access to resources and assistance, reinforcing the commission's commitment to protecting individuals with disabilities.