Stoneham Delegation and Mass. Legislature Bring Oversight to Massachusetts’ Unregulated Home Care Industry

BOSTON—State Representative Michael S. Day and State Senator Jason Lewis joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature in passing An Act to improve Massachusetts home care. The bill establishes a licensure process for home care agencies and strengthens protections for older adults, people with disabilities, and the workers who support them. The new framework will help ensure quality services for consumers and protect home care workers who provide significant support to not only their clients but to their families as well.

"Families across Massachusetts turn to homecare providers to care for their most vulnerable family members," said Representative Michael S. Day. "This bill sets clear standards, strengthens oversight, enhances worker protections and ensures Massachusetts residents can secure the safe and dependable care their loved ones need."

Subscribe

"This bill establishes new accountability measures to help elderly residents continue to safely live in their homes," said Senator Jason Lewis. "Consistent standards through the licensure system and new oversight from the executive branch will protect residents as well as home care workers."

Home care agencies provide non-medical services such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, companionship, and other assistance for residents. The bill directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to implement a new licensure and oversight process. The bill also authorizes EOHHS to approve licenses, survey and investigate home care agencies, and impose fines when appropriate.

Additionally, home care agencies must disclose publicly any individual with at least a five percent ownership interest in the agency, carry workers compensation and liability insurance, and provide appropriate levels of training for their employees.

Highlights of the home care licensure legislation include:

• Establishing a licensure process for home care workers that includes background checks, driving records, and annual training and competency requirements that cover confidentiality rights, emergency situations, documents changes in care, and more.
• Strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability by requiring that the administration establishes standards for consumer-specific service contracts and metrics for monitoring home care agency performance. The administration may now investigate home care agencies for compliance and impose fines for violations.
• Protecting the workforce by establishing clear procedures to ensure home care workers have safe working conditions, adequate training, and a process for submitting complaints. It also requires home care agencies to provide adequate equipment and supplies and have coverage for worker's compensation and liability insurance.
• Analyzing progress and preparing for the future by establishing special commissions and advisory councils to review and develop new policies relating to home care licensure and family caregiving.

Governor Maura Healey signed this bill into law on August 7, 2026, following its passage in both the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives.