Bill > S470

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for regulating home care agencies in Massachusetts by creating new requirements for licensing, worker protections, and oversight. The legislation defines key terms like "home care agency," "home care worker," and "home care services," and mandates that such agencies obtain a license from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, which involves rigorous background checks, training standards, and quality metrics for workers. The bill creates two new advisory bodies: a home care worker and consumer abuse stakeholder advisory committee to develop standards for addressing workplace abuse, and a home care oversight advisory council to review and advise on the implementation of the new home care agency licensing process. Additionally, the bill expands employment protections by including personal care attendants and their individual consumers under anti-discrimination laws. The proposed regulations aim to ensure worker safety, consumer protection, and high-quality home care services by establishing clear standards for background screenings, training, insurance, emergency preparedness, and complaint reporting, while also creating mechanisms to track and address potential workplace abuse or unsafe working conditions.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S470