The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities convened on June 10, 2025, to discuss critical legislative measures aimed at enhancing protections for individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts. The primary focus of the meeting was Senate Bill 165, which seeks to amend existing laws related to the abuse registry established under Nikki's Law.

Nikki's Law, signed into effect in 2020, was a significant legislative achievement aimed at protecting individuals with disabilities from abuse by creating a registry of care providers found guilty of registrable abuse. This law was inspired by the case of Nikki Chan, who suffered abuse at a day program due to the absence of such a registry, allowing the abuser to find employment elsewhere without accountability.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that while Nikki's Law marked a crucial step forward, a significant loophole remained. The law did not mandate that MassHealth day habilitation providers utilize the abuse registry, which has allowed numerous abusive caregivers to continue working with vulnerable populations. Senate Bill 165 aims to close this loophole by requiring these providers to check the registry, thereby expanding the protections offered by Nikki's Law to individuals in MassHealth day habilitation and personal care assistant programs.

Advocates emphasized the urgency of this legislation, noting that many individuals with disabilities still face abuse from service providers. The committee members expressed their support for the bill, acknowledging its importance to the community and the need for legislative action to ensure that no mistreatment goes unreported.

The meeting also featured testimony from Senator John Keenan, who, alongside Nancy Altreiro, the executive director of the DPCC, voiced strong support for Senate Bill 139 and House Bill 243, further emphasizing the commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities.

As the committee concluded its discussions, there was a clear consensus on the necessity of advancing Senate Bill 165 to enhance protections for vulnerable populations and to reaffirm the state's commitment to valuing individuals with disabilities as integral members of society. The committee plans to take further action on the proposed legislation in the coming sessions.