MA S1535

Requires hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities to establish safe patient handling and mobility committees within 6 months, with at least half of members being non-managerial direct care employees such as nurses, CNAs, and physical therapists.

Mandates replacement of manual patient lifting with mechanical lifting devices, lateral transfer aids, friction reducing devices, and motorized beds, restricting manual handling of patient weight to emergency or life-threatening circumstances only.

Requires facilities to complete acquisition of all necessary safe patient handling equipment by December 30, 2024, including at least one readily available lift per unit.

Obligates facilities to provide annual training to all direct caregivers on safe patient handling techniques and equipment use, and allows caregivers to refuse unsafe patient handling tasks without disciplinary action.

Directs the Department of Public Health to ensure compliance and develop penalties for non-compliance, and requires new construction or remodeling plans to incorporate patient handling equipment within one year of passage.