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Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 21, 2026 Orange Line Will Be Suspended Between Oak Grove and Back Bay for 11 Days, August 20 – 30 This notice serves as a reminder of the upcoming Orange Line closure previously announced on July 15. B OSTON – The MBTA is reminding riders that Orange Line service will be suspended between Oak Grove and Back Bay for 11 consecutive days, August 20 – 30. More about the Work During this service suspension, the MBTA will perform essential track and signal upgrades on the Orange Line. This regular, planned renewal and revitalization work is ongoing and continuous, ensuring the long-term stability of our infrastructure and preserving the system for future generations of riders. Between Tufts Medical Center and Haymarket, the MBTA’s Maintenance of Way team will replace Orange Line cologne egg rail fasteners, rail, restraining rail, plates, third rail, and insulators. Between Haymarket and the Assembly truck pad, work crews will perform essential track revitalization work, including the replacement of ties, rail, and plates and tamping work. Last year, the MBTA increased speeds on the Orange Line between Oak Grove and Assembly to 55 MPH for the first time ever – the track work being completed during this service change is also a major step toward expanding these faster speeds with Orange Line trains soon travelling 55 MPH between Community College and Assembly following some additional enabling work. The signal upgrades taking place during this service change are focused on signal rack relocations, which will take place at Wellington, North Station, and Community College. During this meticulous process, signal equipment racks installed in a temporary location are moved to their permanent location within a signal house. Final signal completion work will also take place along the line between Oak Grove and Tufts Medical Center. The MBTA will also maximize the unencumbered access to the Orange Line track area by accomplishing many other piggybacking projects. This work includes: Upgrades will take place at the operator platform at Wellington. MassDOT bridge inspections will be accomplished. Plumbing and drainage improvements will take place within the Sullivan Square bathroom. Contractor crews will work throughout the service suspension area to accomplish critical maintenance as needed and deep clean stations. The MBTA’s Systemwide Radio project will complete installations in the shutdown area. Upgrades will take place within the signal interlocking area and along third rail heating infrastructure. Alternate Travel Options Riders can find complete information at MBTA.com/OrangeLine. More information on these service changes and alternate travel options is below: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Oak Grove and North Station. Express shuttle bus service will serve Oak Grove, Malden Center, Wellington, and North Station. Riders using the shuttles buses should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to Downtown Crossing from Oak Grove should budget at least an additional 70 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute. For service through the downtown area near Back Bay, riders are encouraged to utilize parallel Green Line service between North Station and Copley (which is less than a quarter-mile or about a four-minute walk from Back Bay). The MBTA will increase Green Line service during this time to accommodate Orange Line riders. There will be free fares with the fare gates open at Back Bay and Copley. Riders are encouraged to consider fare-free Commuter Rail service between Oak Grove and North Station. All shuttle buses are accessible to riders with disabilities. However, some buses used during weekday periods will be lift-equipped, coach-style buses. All shuttle buses operating on weekends will be ramp-equipped, low-floor buses. Accessible van service will also be available at downtown Orange Line stations between Back Bay and North Station as well as Copley on the Green Line for riders who prefer it. Riders should see station personnel or use a station call box to request accessible van service. More information is also available through in-station signage and public announcements. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA for up-to-date service information. Significance of MultiDay Outages The MBTA is reminding riders that service outages such as MBTA | SEE PAGE 18 Malden legislators and Mass. Legislature bring oversight to unregulated home care industry R ecently, State Representatives Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Paul Donato and Steven Ultrino and State Senator Jason Lewis joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to approve legislation that establishes a licensure process for home care agencies to ensure that consumers receive quality nonmedical services and that home care workers are protected. An Act to improve Massachusetts home care creates a new licensing and oversight process for home care agencies whose staff provide care such as dressing, meal preparation, bathing, companionship and other tasks that help residents safely age in place. The legislation ensures the safety and security of residents who rely on home care workers, who often provide significant support to not only the individuals using their services but to their families as well. Governor Maura Healey signed the act into law as Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2026. “As the former Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence, I’m delighted that the legislature this session has built on the longterm care law that I filed and championed last session with Chair Stanley, establishing enhanced protections for nursing home residents and workforce and expanding healthcare services in assisted living residences. I also worked closely on the home care licensing law and am thrilled to support its enactment to address the full continuum of care for older adults,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “Older adults want to age at home, and demand is increasing as our population ages. The legislation will enhance consumer protections for older adults and their families by increasing quality of care expectations and heightening transparency. The legislature further acknowledges the dignity of home care workers by codifying important workplace protections.” “This bill establishes new accountability measures to help elderly residents continue to safely live in their homes,” said Senator Lewis. “Consistent standards through the licensure system and new oversight from the executive branch will protect residents as well as home care workers.” “I am thrilled we were able to pass this important legislation for the Home Care Industry in Massachusetts,” said Representative Donato. “This bill is necessary to continue to work with staff and employees in these agencies to make sure they are fairly compensated and appreciated.” “By establishing clear standards and accountability for home care agencies, this legislation helps ensure that residents receive quality care while protecting the workers who provide these essential services,” said Representative Ultrino. “These protections will give families greater confidence and help residents maintain their independence at home.” The bill tasks the Executive Office of Health and Human Services with implementing the licensure process and grants them the authority to approve licenses, survey and investigate home care agencies and impose fines when appropriate. Home care agencies will now be required to disclose anyone 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: • Establishing a licensure process for home care workers, including background checks, driving records and annual training and competency requirements that cover confidentiality rights, emergency situations, documents changes in care and more • Developing oversight to promote transparency and accountability by requiring that the executive branch establish standards for consumer-specific service contracts and quality metrics for monitoring home care agency performance; authorizing them to investigate home care agencies for compliance and impose fines for violations • Ensuring workforce protections by establishing clear procedures to ensure home care workers have safe working conditions, adequate training and a process for submitting complaints; requiring licensed home care agencies to provide adequate equipment and supplies and have coverage for worker’s compensation and liability insurance • Analyzing progress and preparing for future modernization by establishing special commissions and advisory councils to review and develop new policies relating to home care licensure, family caregiving and the idea of a possible state program that people could pay into and from which older and retired adults could receive long-term services or support

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