Section 27 Definitions applicable to Secs. 27 to 35 - Massachusetts Statutes

Section 27. For the purpose of sections twenty-seven to thirty-five, inclusive, the following words and terms shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—

“Act”, any action or decision made by an owner, employee or agent of a long term care facility, or by a government agency or any condition within a long term care facility which affects the provision of service to a resident therein.

“Long term care facility”, any facility subject to licensure by the department of public health pursuant to the provisions of section seventy-one of chapter one hundred and eleven.

“Resident”, any person who is receiving treatment or care in long term care facility including, but not limited to, application or admission, retention, confinement, commitment, period of residence, transfer, discharge and instances directly related to such status.

“Designee”, a member of the staff of the state nursing home ombudsman or any director of a local nursing home ombudsman program; provided, however, that said directors have been certified by the state nursing home ombudsman, as hereinafter defined.

“Administrative action”, any action taken to resolve issues through negotiation and mediation within such facility.

“Government agency”, any federal or state agency responsible for the administration of benefits to the elderly.