Rep. Howitt supports legislation to license Massachusetts home care agencies

BOSTON – State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk) is backing legislation to protect vulnerable individuals receiving home care services by establishing a formal licensing process for home care agencies operating in Massachusetts.

Representative Howitt voted to support House Bill 5627, An Act to Improve Massachusetts home care, which calls for enhanced state oversight of home care agencies, as well as ongoing training for home care workers. He noted that these changes are overdue because these agencies are currently unlicensed, placing clients in a situation where they may not be receiving the quality care and services they expect and deserve.

House Bill 5627 represents a compromise negotiated by a six-member conference committee that worked to resolve the differences between two earlier versions of the bill approved by the House and Senate. House Bill 4706 was given initial approval by the House of Representatives on November 5, 2025, when it was engrossed on a vote of 153-1. The Senate passed its version of the bill, Senate Bill 3183, on a voice vote on July 16, 2026.

The final conference committee report directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to work in consultation with the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, the Department of Public Health, and a newly created Home Care Oversight Advisory Council to develop rules and regulations for the licensing and conduct of home care agencies. According to Representative Howitt, EOHHS will be required to post a list of licensed home care agencies on its website and has the power to revoke or suspend a license and to issue fines of up to $500 per day if an agency does not comply with the new regulations.

Originally, only the Senate version of the bill contained provisions giving home care agencies the opportunity to appeal a suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew a license. That language is included in House Bill 5627.

Also retained in the final bill is a Senate proposal creating a special commission to explore the possibility of establishing a statewide long-term services and supports benefit program. As part of its work, the commission will undertake an analysis of the demands placed on the long-term care workforce and how it can be better prepared to meet future needs.

In addition, the bill includes enhanced protections for home care workers to ensure they have safe working conditions and can file formal complaints when needed. Representative Howitt noted the bill creates a Home Care Worker and Consumer Abuse Stakeholder Advisory Committee that will recommend standards and procedures for addressing abusive treatment – including physical, verbal, or mental abuse, and bullying – to protect home care workers, Personal Care Attendants, home care clients, and family members.

House Bill 5627 also creates a special legislative commission on family caregiving policy. Representative Howitt said this commission will investigate all state-funded efforts into caregiving research clinical care, institutional and home-based and community-based services and supports, as well as the fiscal, access and quality impacts of allowing spouses to serve as paid caregivers in the MassHealth program.



Following its enactment in the House and Senate, House Bill 5627 will move to Governor Healey’s desk for her review and signature. The Governor has until August 10 to act on the bill.