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H 4077

An Act mandating retrofitting accessibility for all medical facilities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Flanagan

Requires licensed medical facilities to retrofit for accessibility under regulations, including automatic doors, wider hallways, bathroom railings, and accessible furnishings.

Accompanied a study order, see H5234
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Bill Summary · H 4077

Summary of H.4077: An Act mandating retrofitting accessibility for all medical facilities

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to mandate physical accessibility upgrades for facilities licensed under Chapter 111 of the General Laws to enhance accessibility for patients, staff, and visitors.
  • It directs the relevant regulatory department to establish minimum standards and criteria for accessibility improvements through regulations.

Key provisions

  • Inserted new Section 51N in Chapter 111: A licensed medical facility must make necessary alterations or upgrades to its buildings, facilities, and property to enhance physical accessibility.
  • Regulatory framework: The department is required to promulgate regulations, under Chapter 30A, to provide:
    • Criteria for the necessity of accessibility enhancements
    • Minimum standards for such enhancements
  • Specific accessibility requirements identified in Section 51N include:
    • Installation of automatic doors
    • Use of chairs with handles
    • Construction or retrofitting of wider hallways
    • Installation of railings in bathrooms
    • Any other alterations or upgrades deemed necessary by the department to enhance physical accessibility

Note: The bill delegates detailed standards and any additional requirements to the regulatory process; it does not specify exact retrofit timelines within the bill itself.

Affected entities

  • Facilities licensed under Chapter 111 (e.g., hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities) would be subject to mandatory accessibility retrofits as determined by regulations.
  • The department responsible for licensing and enforcement of Chapter 111 (the applicable public health/licensing agency) would implement the regulations and oversee compliance.

Regulatory and timeline aspects

  • Regulations: The department must promulgate regulations pursuant to Chapter 30A to define necessity criteria and minimum standards.
  • Implementation: Specific deadlines for compliance are not set in the bill text; compliance would follow after regulations are promulgated.
  • Legislative process status (as of the latest updates):
    • Introduced: May 5, 2025
    • Hearing: Scheduled for June 23, 2025 (in two committees/rooms)
    • Senate concurrence: May 8, 2025
    • Reporting date extended: Initially set, now extended to Tuesday, October 21, 2025
  • Legislative context: Related Bill HD 1942 (replaces)

Practical and financial considerations

  • The bill does not specify funding mechanisms, penalties, or phased timelines within the text; financial cost and enforcement details would likely be addressed in the forthcoming regulations and implementing guidance.
  • Facilities may face capital costs for automatic doors, wider hallways, bathroom railings, and accessible furnishings, with variation based on current facility layouts.

Summary note

H.4077 aims to raise the baseline accessibility of licensed medical facilities through regulatory standards that would require retrofits such as automatic doors, accessible furnishings, and structural widening, with implementation guided by future department regulations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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