Healthcare (Long-Term Care)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 485: An Act to establish safe staffing levels at skilled nursing facilities

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 485) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to establish safe staffing levels at skilled nursing facilities. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safe staffing levels at nursing facilities, directly improving patient care quality and safety in healthcare settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 887: An Act increasing the personal needs allowance for long term care residents

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 887) of Joan B. Lovely, Joanne M. Comerford, Christopher Richard Flanagan, Jacob R. Oliveira and others for legislation to increase the monthly amount of money that Medicaid recipients living in nursing homes are allowed to keep from their income to spend on personal items like toiletries, clothing, and small entertainment. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid personal allowance for nursing home residents, enhancing financial access to personal care items within long-term care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 798: An Act requiring dignity, privacy, and safety for residents in nursing homes and rest homes

This bill requires nursing homes and rest homes to create and submit plans ensuring residents are treated with dignity, including staff training and policies based on dignity. It mandates single-occupancy rooms for all residents by July 2027 (with possible extensions), prohibits forcing residents to share rooms (except for married couples, family members, or medical needs), and bans rooms housing three or more residents. Facilities must also offer in-room dining without extra fees. Non-compliance results in $1,000 daily fines per deficient room.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates dignity, privacy, and safety standards for nursing home residents, directly protecting patient rights in healthcare facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 20, 2025

H 790: An Act to support quality improvement in nursing homes

HD 1616 creates a new Long-Term Care Facility Quality Improvement Team to assist nursing homes facing operational or financial challenges. The team provides technical assistance to facilities identified as at risk of worsening health and safety conditions, without conducting inspections or enforcing rules. Nursing homes must cooperate with the team and share required financial, operational, and programmatic information. The bill establishes criteria for identifying at-risk facilities and allows the commissioner to set implementation rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides technical assistance to nursing homes for quality improvement, directly advancing healthcare services in long-term care facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 797: An Act requiring the certification of medical directors in skilled nursing facilities

This bill requires medical directors at Massachusetts skilled nursing facilities to hold certification from the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (or an equivalent body). It affects all skilled nursing facilities licensed under Chapter 111 of the General Laws, mandating that new medical directors obtain certification within five years of hire (with existing directors until 2030). Facilities must submit background checks, resumes, and certification proof during licensing applications and annual certifications, while medical directors must report safety concerns to the Department of Public Health and resident councils. The bill establishes concrete documentation, certification timelines, and reporting obligations without altering care standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires certification of medical directors in skilled nursing facilities, ensuring quality care standards and protecting patient safety in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 492: An Act protecting the rights of older adults and people with disabilities

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 492) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to protect the rights of older adults and people with disabilities in nursing homes. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects rights of nursing home residents (healthcare setting), directly advancing patient rights and care standards in healthcare facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 345: An Act relative to expanding paid family and medical leave

This bill expands Massachusetts' paid family and medical leave program by clarifying who qualifies as an "employer" under the law. It specifically designates school districts as covered employers (not subject to certain restrictions), identifies the Department of Early Education and Care as the employer for family child care providers, and defines the PCA Quality Home Care Workforce Council as the employer for personal care attendants. The bill also creates a new "Educator Paid Family and Medical Leave Fund" to reimburse school districts for providing paid leave benefits to their employees, funded by state appropriations and interest. This directly affects school districts, personal care attendants, and family child care providers by changing their employer relationships and funding mechanisms for leave benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly designates school districts as covered employers for paid leave, extending benefits to educators (teachers), directly supporting educator welfare and access to family medical leave.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands paid medical leave access, strengthening healthcare service utilization for employees needing medical care or family support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands paid family and medical leave coverage to school districts, child care providers, and personal care attendants, strengthening worker benefits and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Long-Term Care Paid Leave

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1539: An Act to address conflicts of interest in the use of temporary nursing agencies at skilled nursing facilities

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1539) of Dylan A. Fernandes, Rodney M. Elliott, James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis and others for legislation to address conflicts of interest in the use of temporary nursing agencies at skilled nursing facilities. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses conflicts of interest in nursing agencies at skilled nursing facilities to improve patient safety and care quality, directly supporting public health protections in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 493: An Act to strengthen the long-term care workforce and capital trust fund

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 493) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to strengthen the long-term care workforce and capital trust fund. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly strengthens long-term care workforce and capital trust fund, directly advancing healthcare infrastructure and services under Elder Affairs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aims to strengthen long-term care workforce, aligning with labor protections and funding support for workers in this sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 472: An Act relative to Massachusetts home care eligibility

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 472) of Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to Massachusetts home care eligibility. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses home care eligibility under Elder Affairs, aiming to improve access to home care services for elderly, a core healthcare service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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