This bill makes amendments to two sections of the General Laws.

In Section 1, the bill modifies the definition of "abuse" in the chapter on "Abuse in Healthcare Facilities." The amendment 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 word "intentionally" before "engaging" in a pattern of harassing conduct.

In Section 2, the bill modifies the definition of "abuse" in the chapter on the "Office of Healthy Aging." The amendment adds new definitions of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse of an elderly person by a caregiver. It also removes the word "willful" before "infliction" in the definition of physical abuse and neglect.

Overall, this bill aims to remove the requirement of intent in the definitions of "abuse" within the chapter on "abuse in healthcare facilities." It also seeks to amend the definitions of "abuse" and "neglect" in relation to elderly affairs by removing the element of willful conduct. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
1041: 23-17.8-1, 42-66-4.1