MA H243

Amends Chapter 19C of Massachusetts General Laws governing the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) to update terminology, replacing outdated language like "mentally retarded" with "person with a disability" or "intellectual disability"

Establishes "abuse per se" as a new category of abuse that is inherently abusive regardless of whether serious injury manifests, including sexual abuse, withholding adaptive aids, inappropriate touching patterns, and intentional application of physical force

Requires at least 5 state police officers be assigned to the DPPC's special investigative unit for cases involving allegations of criminal conduct against persons with disabilities

Expands investigation scope to include "any sites relevant to the alleged abuse" rather than limiting to residence and day programs, and adds criminal offenses causing harm to disabled persons as grounds for district attorney referral

Strengthens confidentiality protections for investigation records, registry proceedings, and personally identifiable information of parties and witnesses, while clarifying that such information is exempt from public records requests