This bill makes amendments to two sections of the General Laws. In the chapter on "Abuse in Healthcare Facilities," the bill adds a new definition of abuse to include a pattern of harassing conduct that causes emotional or psychological harm to a patient or resident. It also removes the requirement of intent before engaging in a pattern of harassing conduct.

In the chapter on the "Office of Healthy Aging," the bill adds new definitions of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse of an elderly person by a caregiver. It removes the definition of "willful" and adds a new definition of "caregiver" as a person who has assumed responsibility for the care of an elderly person. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5436: 23-17.8-1, 42-66-4.1