Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 19a - Department of Elder Affairs
Section 1 - Establishment; Secretary, Powers and Duties

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

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 4 - Home Care Program; Needs and Services of Adult Handicapped; Powers and Duties of Secretary

Section 4a - Sliding Fee Scale for Home Care Services; Financial Eligibility Limits

Section 4b - Aging Services Access Points

Section 4c - Pharmacy Outreach Program; Medication Education and Intervention Resource Center; Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Section 4d - Home Care Worker Registry

Section 5 - Citizen Advisory Boards

Section 6 - Regulations

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 12 - Biennial Evaluations of Programs and Projects; Standards, Restriction; Publication of Summaries; Annual Report

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 18 - Assessment and Evaluation of Reports; Investigations; Arrangement for Protective Services

Section 19 - Consent to Protective Services; Interference With Provision of Services

Section 20 - Lack of Capacity to Consent to Protective Services; Hearings; Emergency Orders; Placement or Commitment

Section 21 - Geriatric Evaluation Process

Section 22 - Financial Eligibility Guidelines; Reimbursements by Elderly Persons

Section 23 - Records; Disclosure; Destruction; Regulations; Penalties

Section 24 - Reports

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 39 - Subsidized Catastrophic Prescription Drug Insurance Program; Department of Elder Affairs

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

Section 43 - Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression; Training Program