THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025 Page 5 MASS HOUSE | FROM Page 3 “This legislation takes important steps to improve services for seniors, and to ensure a safe work environment for home care workers,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chairman Stanley for his work on this legislation, as well as all my colleagues in the House for recognizing the importance of these reforms.” “This legislation could not have been passed at a more critical time,” said Representative Thomas M. Stanley (D-Waltham), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence. “With our aging population expected to grow exponentially in the coming years and the number of family caregivers shrinking, the demand for home care will subsequently increase. It is critical for the Commonwealth to have the proper standards and protections in place for home care agencies to ensure consumers receive quality care and our dedicated home care workers are properly trained and supported in the field. I’m grateful to Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House for once again prioritizing the needs of our aging population and continuing to champion policies that promote aging in place and help older adults remain independent.” “This legislation delivers meaningful protections for both home care workers and the people they serve,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere). “By establishing clear standards and accountability, we’re ensuring that seniors and people with disabilities receive the quality care they deserve and that the workers who provide that care are properly trained and supported. I’m grateful to Speaker Mariano and Chair Michlewitz for prioritizing this important step toward a safer, more reliable home care system for everyone in the Commonwealth.” “As the Commonwealth has moved to provide greater at home support for seniors in need, our laws and regulations have not kept up. This important legislation will provide greater oversite and protections for homecare workers and the seniors they serve,” said Representative Jeff rey Rosario Turco (D. Winthrop). Oversight: Transparency & Accountability • Grants EOHHS the ability to fi ne any person or entity that represents themselves as a home care agency without proper licensure, or that violates any other rules and regulations • Grants EOHHS the ability to work with the Executive Offi ce of Aging and Independence (AGE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) on surveying and investigating home care agencies to ensure compliance • Requires EOHHS to conduct a suitability review for all liALL DEPOSITS ARE INSURED IN FULL. Celebrate 135 years of strength & commitment to our community with a special 135-day CD offer. 4.25% APY* 135-Day CD *New money only. $250,000 maximum deposit. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate of the date posted and is subject to change without notice. APY assumes the interest remains on deposit until maturity. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. A minimum of $500 is required to open a Certificate of Deposit and earn the advertised APY. 419 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 771 SALEM ST. LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 331 MONTVALE AVE. WOBURN, MA 01801 EVERETTBANK.COM 617-387-1110 781-776-4444 781-281-9092 MEMBER FDIC | MEMBER DIF censure applicants, including for all individuals with at least a 5 percent ownership interest in the agency, and a review to ensure that all applicants have sufficient financial capacity to provide a minimum standard of care • Requires EOHHS to publish a list of all licensed home care agencies on its website • Establishes standards for consumer-specific service plans and contracts, including a description of services, total cost of care, and agency contact information • Establishes quality metrics and standards for monitoring home care agency performance Workforce Protections • Establishes procedures to ensure home care workers have safe working conditions, adequate training, and a process for submitting complaints • Requires licensed home care agencies to have coverage for worker’s compensation and liability insurance, and to provide adequate equipment and supplies to home care workers • Creates the Home Care Worker and Consumer Abuse Stakeholder Advisory Committee to study and make recommendations on standards and procedures for addressing abusive treatment, including physical, verbal, mental abuse, and bullying of home care workers, PCAs, home care consumers, and family members, including: • Reporting abusive treatment and debriefi ng after incidents of abusive treatment • Tracking and retaining records of abusive treatment • Informing home care workers of potentially unsafe working environments • Training for all employees of home care agencies, including on escalation cycles and eff ective de-escalation techniques • Grants PCAs anti-discrimination protections to shield them from harassment or discrimination based on sex, race, religion, etc. Minimum Standards for Home Care Workers • Requires several background screening checks for all home care workers • Establishes annual training and competency requireGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 ments, including: • Confi dentiality and privacy rights of home care consumers • Infection control and communicable diseases • Handling of emergencies, including safety and falls prevention • Observing, reporting, and documenting changes in home care consumer needs and environment • Identifying and reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or theft • Understanding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, including person-centered care, activities of daily living, safety, and dementia-related behaviors and communication Having passed the House of Representatives 153-1, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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