DPPC and advocates push statute updates to strengthen investigatory authority and modernize language

Nancy Alterio, executive director of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, asked the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities to advance language to modernize the commission's enabling statute (House 243 / Senate 139). Alterio said the bill would "modernize and streamline the DPPC's enabling statute, strengthen our mission, and our ability to support our constituency." She told members DPPC receives over "15,000 abuse reports each year" and that statutory changes would require no additional appropriation.

Senator Keenan and other sponsors described the revisions as operational fixes that would: codify protection of medical/clinical details as nonpublic record, allow online reporting options in nonemergency cases, stop requiring a separate written report after a hotline call, remove obsolete terminology (including antiquated words for disability) and rescind commissioner term limits so experienced leaders can continue service.

Supporters said the changes would also better align DPPC's authority with related protections such as Nikki's Law and would enable the commission to operationalize referrals to agencies within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Rick Glassman and others described creating a statutory basis for an "abuse per se" category reflected in DPPC regulations and said the change would help the agency act where victims are nonverbal or unable to testify about emotional harm.

Testimony emphasized DPPC's caseload and practical improvements: streamlined intake, clearer confidentiality protections, and statutory authority to support findings now handled under regulation. No formal committee action was recorded at the hearing; sponsors asked for a favorable report so the bill could proceed to further legislative consideration.