Section 1. There shall be a department of elder affairs, in this chapter called the department, which shall be under the supervision and control of a secretary of elder affairs, hereinafter called the secretary. The secretary shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the secretary, or in the secretary's absence or disability, as determined by the governor, the governor shall designate an assistant secretary of elder affairs to serve as secretary until the vacancy is filled, or until the absence or disability ceases, as determined by the governor, and the assistant secretary so designated shall have all the powers and duties of the secretary. The secretary shall devote his full time to the duties of his office.
The secretary shall be the executive and administrative head of the department and shall be responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of law relative to the department and each administrative unit thereof.
The secretary shall administer chapter 118E relative to medical care and assistance to eligible persons age 65 and older except for acute care services as defined by the secretary of health and human services. The secretary shall be responsible for administering and coordinating a comprehensive system of long-term care benefits and services for elderly persons, including institutional, home-based and community-based care and services.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth
Chapter 19a - Department of Elder Affairs
Section 1 - Establishment; Secretary, Powers and Duties
Section 2 - Offices of Administration and of Program Planning and Management; Assistant Secretaries
Section 3 - Divisions and Administrative Units; Directors; Description of Organization, Filing
Section 4a - Sliding Fee Scale for Home Care Services; Financial Eligibility Limits
Section 4b - Aging Services Access Points
Section 4d - Home Care Worker Registry
Section 5 - Citizen Advisory Boards
Section 7 - Acceptance of Gifts or Grants
Section 8 - Employees; Appointments and Removal; Age Restriction
Section 9 - Experts and Technical Consultants; Appointment
Section 10 - Civil Service Status or Tenure of Employees
Section 11 - Interagency Cooperation
Section 14 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 14 to 26
Section 15 - Reports of Abuse; Liability
Section 16 - Protective Services System
Section 17 - Protective Services Agencies; Authorized Activities
Section 19 - Consent to Protective Services; Interference With Provision of Services
Section 21 - Geriatric Evaluation Process
Section 22 - Financial Eligibility Guidelines; Reimbursements by Elderly Persons
Section 23 - Records; Disclosure; Destruction; Regulations; Penalties
Section 25 - Rules and Regulations
Section 26 - Powers and Responsibilities of Other Departments or Agencies
Section 36 - Eligibility for Public Assistance Programs; Reverse Mortgage Proceeds
Section 37 - Hot Lunch Program; Incorporation Into School Lunch Program
Section 38 - Liability of Counselors and Coordinators; Description of Duties and Responsibilities
Section 40 - Prescription Drug Review Commission; Membership; Recommendations
Section 41 - Veterans Independence Plus Initiative Trust Fund
Section 42 - Commission on Malnutrition Prevention Among Older Adults