PATRICK IN BILL SIGNING FLURRY Gov. Deval Patrick’s pen might need an ink refill with all the bills he is signing this week that lawmakers sent to him amidst the frantic last few days of the 2013-2014 formal legislative session. Patrick signed nearly 50 bills on Tuesday and Wednesday, many of which were local bills authorizing communities to exchange or take parcels of land. Some of the other bills Patrick signed include legislation (S 795) that protects engineers, architects, environmental professionals, landscape architects, and other licensed site professionals who volunteer their services at the scene of a disaster or catastrophe. Sen. Karen Spilka, (D-Natick) who sponsored the bill, said engineers and mechanics volunteer to assess structural integrity of buildings after a disaster, but they are not given any protection against liability if an accident occurs. Fifteen other states have passed similar legislation protecting engineers and other professionals who volunteer their services in the wake of a disaster. The governor also signed legislation (H 3860) related to potluck events, which ensures the meals do not fall under Department of Public Health or local board of health oversight if they meet certain conditions. Sen. James Timilty (D-Walpole) told his colleagues potlucks are a staple of local communities, and the legislation clarifies in state law that potlucks can operate without regulation. Patrick also signed into law (S 1882) establishing an Alzheimer’s and related dementia acute care advisory committee. The Department of Public Health will pull together representatives from health and human services, elder affairs, the Office of Medicaid, patient advocates and caregivers “to craft a strategy to address dementia-capable care in all acute care settings in the Commonwealth,” according to the legislation. -C. Quinn/SHNS
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 15:05:33 +0000
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