A bill to create a registry of workers found to have harmed a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities and prevent those individuals from being hired again is now headed to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk.
The Massachusetts House and Senate both passed “Nicky’s Law” unanimously earlier this month. The proposal was named for a non-verbal young man with autism who was abused by his caretaker.
The measure, also known at the Abuse Registry Bill, will require care provider employers who contract with the state Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to check the registry prior to hiring or retaining any person as a care provider, and it prevents employers from hiring or retaining any person who appears on the registry.
Those employers include those with DDS licenses for day services, those that have contracts with DDS and those receiving funding from DDS.
Under the new law, monetary fines or other penalties will be imposed on any employer that fails to comply.
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