MA H786

Expands the definition of "abuse" to include serious physical or emotional injury, financial exploitation, and caretaker failure to provide essential necessities for elderly persons' physical and emotional well-being

Extends elder protective services to elderly persons involuntarily committed under Chapter 123 (mental health commitments) and those in prisons, jails, civil commitment centers, and houses of correction

Grants the Department of Elder Affairs immediate access to state agency facilities upon receiving abuse reports, with authority to request relevant documents and conduct investigations

Prohibits retaliation against employees, clients, or others who report elder abuse, with violators liable for treble damages, costs, and attorney's fees; sovereign immunity is waived for state agencies

Requires annual reporting to the governor and legislature on abuse statistics, including specific data on abuse in state agency care, substantiated findings, prosecutor referrals, and employment actions taken