Skip to Content
April 16, 2026 Clouds | 77°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.470 194th (Current)

An Act to improve Massachusetts home care

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 470) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Michael O. Moore, Paul K. Frost, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve Massachusetts home care. Elder Affairs.

View Text Print Preview Download PDF

Bill Information

Presenter:
Patricia D. Jehlen

Home Cares

This bill allows for the licensure of home care agencies in a way consistent with other states and similar industries within Massachusetts, without being duplicative of current EOEA oversight of those contracting with ASAPs in addition to including improved standards and prevention of abusive treatment of home care workers, personal care attendants, and consumers of those services. Specifically the bill includes provisions: -establishing definitions of Home Care Agency Worker and creates penalties for noncompliance -providing consumer protections by requiring disclosure of services and rates, and sets standards of suitability through reporting -creating transparency requirements for all Home Care businesses including requiring financial disclosures, background checks, standard services plans including rates and costs established by EOEA, and requirement for ongoing worker training in confidentiality, Alzheimer's disease and dementia competency, abuse reporting and infection control -guaranteeing appropriate levels of training and competency and well as liability insurance -providing worker & anti-discrimination protections for home care workforce including Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) The bill also builds upon the Home Care Licensing Commission’s recommendations by introducing an advisory council to give stakeholders a more formal role in guiding the development of regulations for the industry. This council would also provide a forum for ongoing discussion, particularly regarding issues where consensus could not be reached in the Commission’s final report (i.e., Matching Services) .
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.