Code of Massachusetts Regulations 111 CMR - MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

Here’s a clearer breakdown of 111 CMR – Massachusetts Commission for the Blind:

🏛️ Overview & Table of Contents

111 CMR is the chapter of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations that governs the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. It was last officially compiled and published by the Trial Court Law Libraries on April 4, 2018 (mass.gov). The regulations include:

111 CMR 1.00 – Case conference, administrative review, voluntary mediation, and fair hearing

111 CMR 3.00 – Vending facilities program

111 CMR 6.00 – Vocational rehabilitation services; college training services

111 CMR 8.00 – Public safety

111 CMR 9.00 – Reserved

111 CMR 10.00 – State Supplement Program to Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

111 CMR 11.00 – Release of information to city/town assessor's office (publichealthlawcenter.org, mass.gov, regulations.justia.com)

Section Highlights

111 CMR 1.00 – Case Conference & Hearings

Establishes the process—case conferences, mediation, administrative reviews, and fair hearings—used when the Commission makes decisions affecting eligibility or services.

111 CMR 3.00 – Vending Facilities Program

Sets rules governing the state vending program to create economic opportunities for blind individuals under federal authority (20 U.S.C. § 107, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.). Originally dated July 9, 2004. (mass.gov)

111 CMR 6.00 – Vocational & College Training Services

Outlines vocational rehabilitation and higher-education support services for people who are blind. (Detailed text requires consulting the full CMR.)

111 CMR 8.00 – Public Safety

Details procedures around sharing information with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to ensure public safety while maintaining confidentiality. Key points include:

Definition of legal blindness (20/200 acuity or ≤10° visual field) and “public-safety-related information” (PSRI) (en.wikipedia.org, mass.gov)

The RMV regularly forwards PSRI to MCB, which compares it against its registry (mass.gov)

If someone appears on both registries, MCB offers a hearing and may remove them upon receiving an updated eye exam (mass.gov)

MCB must safeguard confidentiality, maintain data logs, and limit disclosures to what’s legally permitted

111 CMR 9.00 – Reserved

Currently not in use.

111 CMR 10.00 – State Supplement Program (SSI)

Describes Massachusetts’ state-level supplement to federal SSI. Eligibility includes SSI recipients and certain individuals whose income disqualifies them from SSI; administered under Chapters 6 and 118A of Massachusetts general law. (masslegalservices.org)

111 CMR 11.00 – Release of Information to Assessors

Permits MCB to send a certified list of legally blind registrants to local assessors for property tax exemptions. Key points:

Annual disclosure of legally blind residents to municipal assessors

The list must be used strictly for verifying legal blindness, kept confidential, and destroyed after use (law.cornell.edu)

Registrants can opt out or request changes to their inclusion

📌 How to Access

Official online versions:

The Trial Court Law Libraries (Mass.gov) page for 111 CMR offers free access/uploaded PDFs (last updated April 2018) (en.wikipedia.org, mass.gov).

Individual sections (like 3.00, 8.00) are available with full text and PDF downloads .

Unofficial sites such as Justia or Cornell’s LII also host the content (some caution that it may not be current) (regulations.justia.com).

✅ Summary Table

PartFocus
1.00Fair hearings & administrative review
3.00Blind vending facility operations
6.00Vocational & educational services
8.00RMV data exchanges & safety/confidentiality rules
9.00Reserved (unused)
10.00State supplemental SSI payments
11.00Tax-assessor blindness data sharing

Next Steps

To view specific provisions, download the PDFs from the Mass.gov site.

For recent amendments or updates after April 2018, check the latest Massachusetts Register issues or contact the Trial Court Law Libraries.

If you need assistance interpreting regulations or applying them, consider consulting a legal professional.

 

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