What Happened

Massachusetts enacted its first statewide licensing system for home care agencies after Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) signed H.5627, "An Act to Improve Massachusetts Home Care," on Aug. 6. [](#ngr-b2768d1f-5770-4e09-af38-07b30b494884)

The law, Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2026, establishes a licensing and oversight system for agencies providing nonmedical home care services, including assistance with eating, dressing, bathing, mobility, housekeeping, laundry and companionship. It also establishes standards intended to protect home care consumers and workers.

Massachusetts previously lacked a statewide licensing system for nonmedical home care agencies. The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts had advocated for home care licensure for more than 15 years.

Why It Matters To Me

H.5627 creates Massachusetts' first statewide licensing system for home care agencies, giving the state oversight of businesses that provide nonmedical services to older adults and people with disabilities in their homes.

The law directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish licensing regulations that include background-screening requirements, training and competency standards, consumer disclosures and other operating requirements. It also creates a Home Care Worker and Consumer Abuse Stakeholder Advisory Committee to recommend policies addressing abuse of workers and consumers and a Home Care Oversight Advisory Council to advise the state on implementation of the licensing system.

The legislation developed from earlier bills introduced by Rep. Thomas Stanley (D-MA) and Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D-MA), who led the House and Senate versions of the home care licensing proposal.

By the Numbers

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which supported the legislation, represents more than 80,000 members in Massachusetts, including approximately 60,000 home care workers.

Massachusetts has a median household income of $103,960 and a poverty rate of 9.7%. About 92.8% of households have a broadband internet subscription, while 47.3% of residents age 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in August.

What Happens Next

The House accepted the conference committee report on July 31 by a vote of 157-0 and subsequently enacted the bill by the same margin. The Senate accepted the conference report 40-0 before enacting the legislation and sending it to Healey, who signed it Aug. 6.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services must establish regulations for temporary home care agency licenses and begin issuing temporary licenses within 180 days of the law's effective date. The office must adopt regulations governing the broader licensing system within one year and establish a date, no later than one year after those regulations are adopted, by which covered home care agencies must be licensed.

The law also requires the Home Care Oversight Advisory Council to begin its work within 60 days and requires the Home Care Worker and Consumer Abuse Stakeholder Advisory Committee to issue its initial findings and recommendations within six months.

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This article was generated by AI pulling from data. Each article is edited by an editor for accuracy and clarity.

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