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Abuse Against Persons with Disabilities

Abuse against persons with disabilities

Reporting to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission

Who must report	Certain health care professionals are mandatory reporters, including: Chiropractor Dentist Employee of a private agency providing services to persons with disabilities Employee of a state agency within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Guidance or family counselor Hospital personnel engaged in the examination, care or treatment of patients Medical examiner Nurse Osteopath Physician or medical intern Podiatrist Psychologist ^^{This list does not include certain mandatory reporters that are clearly outside of the health care industry.}
What to report	Suspicion of abuse or neglect against a person with a disability. Specifically, you must report any serious physical/emotional injury of a disabled individual that you reasonably suspect resulted from the act or omission of a caretaker (which DPPC refers to as a “reportable condition”). A caretaker is any person or agency responsible for a disabled person's health or welfare by providing for or directly providing assistance in meeting a daily living need.
How to report	Immediately call the Disabled Persons Protection Commission's 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-426-9009 or 1-888-822-0350 TTY. If the abuse resulted in death, report to the district attorney and medical examiner. Follow up by a written report within 48 hours.
Resources	Reporting Forms How to File a Report of Abuse or Neglect What Is Reportable Frequently Asked Questions Explanations of Abuse
Laws	M.G.L. c. 19C, § 10 118 CMR §§ 3.03 – 3.05
Contact	The Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) 300 Granite Street, Suite 404 Braintree, MA 02184 24-hour Hotline: 888-822-0350 V/TTY Phone: 617-727-6465 Fax: 617-727-6469 Website: http://www.mass.gov/dppc/

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