Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 19A, § 21

(a) Subject to appropriation, the department shall establish a geriatric evaluation process for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive physical, mental, or social evaluation of an older adult for whom a petition has been filed in a court for appointment of a conservator or guardian, under the provisions of clause (3) of section seventeen, or for an emergency order for protective services.

(b) The evaluation of an older adult conducted by the geriatric evaluation process shall include at least the following:

(c) Subject to appropriation, the cost of this evaluation shall be borne by the department.

(d) Such older adult shall have the right, at such older adult’s own expense to secure an independent medical and psychological or psychiatric examination relevant to the issue involved in any hearing under this section and to present a report of the independent evaluation or the evaluator's personal testimony as evidence at the hearing.