Both the House and Senate have endorsed plans for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to establish and administer a formal licensing process for home care agencies, which are currently unlicensed in Massachusetts. House Bill 4706, An Act to improve Massachusetts home care, 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.
“Without a formal licensing process in place, it is extremely difficult to ensure these agencies are providing quality services to their clients and not exposing them to unnecessary risks,” said Representative Jones. “As a member of the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence, David is committed to protecting the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents, and I am confident he will do everything he can to help broker an agreement on legislation containing strong and effective protections for recipients of home care services.”
Both the House and Senate versions of the bill direct 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. The House bill explicitly mandates that the home care licensure, reporting, and oversight requirements align with requirements across the long-term care services and support system.
While House Bill 4706 and Senate Bill 3183 both empower EOHHS 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, only the Senate version includes provisions giving home care agencies the opportunity to appeal the suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew a license. Another key difference is the Senate’s proposal to create a special commission to explore the possibility of establishing a statewide long-term services and supports benefit program, which would include an analysis of the demands on the long-term care workforce and how it can be prepared to meet future needs, language which is not included in the House proposal.
Joining Representative DeCoste on the conference committee are Representatives Thomas Stanley (D-Waltham) and Frank Moran (D-Lawrence), along with Senators William Brownsberger (D-Belmont), Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) and Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton).
In addition to serving on the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence, Representative DeCoste is also a member of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion. He currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Housing; Joint Committee on Public Service; and the Joint Committee on Transportation.
