WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 766

An Act relative to acute hospital and nursing home governance

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 11 co-sponsors

Requires a registered nurse to serve as a sitting, voting member of the governing body for acute-care hospitals and nursing homes to influence strategic planning and governance.

Accompanied a study order, see H5310 (under House Rule 27)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 766

Comprehensive Summary: House Bill H.766 — An Act relative to acute hospital and nursing home governance

Overview

  • Bill number and title: H.766, An Act relative to acute hospital and nursing home governance
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Current status / hearings: Hearing scheduled for September 16, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Committee Room A-2
  • Primary sponsor: Representative Paul J. Donato (Medford)
  • Committee actions: Referred to Elder Affairs on 2/27/2025; subsequently listed under Aging and Independence in actions; Senate concurrence noted on 2/27/2025
  • Related bill format: House Docket No. 2328 (HD 2328 replaces)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to strengthen governance for acute-care hospitals and nursing homes in Massachusetts by ensuring professional nursing input is embedded in governing bodies. Specifically, it requires a registered nurse to serve as a sitting and voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing the organization’s strategic plan, structures, systems, policies, and programs. The goal is to align governance with clinical expertise and patient-care considerations at the highest organizational level.

Key provisions

  • Section 51 (Acute-care hospitals): Amends Chapter 111, Section 51 to require that all acute-care hospitals (as defined in section 25B) have a registered nurse with a current unencumbered license from the Board of Registration in Nursing serving as a sitting and voting member of the hospital’s governing entity responsible for strategic planning and related governance activities (structure, systems, policies, programs).
  • Section 71 (Nursing homes): Amends Chapter 111, Section 71 to require all nursing homes to have a registered nurse with a current unencumbered license from the Board of Registration in Nursing serving as a sitting and voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing the organization’s strategic plan, structure, systems, policies, and programs.

Who/what would be affected

  • Acute-care hospitals: Must appoint a registered nurse (active license, unencumbered) as a voting member of the governing body overseeing strategic planning and governance.
  • Nursing homes: Must appoint a registered nurse (active license, unencumbered) as a voting member of the governing body overseeing strategic planning and governance.
  • The requirement targets the governing entities (boards or equivalent) rather than changing the clinical staffing on the front lines; it adds clinical governance representation at the top leadership level.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Status timeline: Introduced in February 2025; hearings scheduled for September 16, 2025. Pending committee referrals and potential amendments.
  • Legislative path: Referred to Elder Affairs (2/27/2025); later listed under Aging and Independence; Senate concurrence noted on 2/27/2025, indicating cross-chamber attention and potential movement toward final passage.
  • Effective date: The text provided does not specify an effective date or transition period. If enacted, an implementing regulation or phased timeline may be expected in subsequent readings or the bill’s final language.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Governance and governance impact: Elevating nursing leadership to voting status on governing bodies could influence strategic priorities, quality of care, patient safety policies, and response to clinical concerns.
  • Administrative considerations: Hospitals and nursing homes may need to adjust board composition, bylaws, and governance documents to accommodate the new nurse-vested seats.
  • Workforce implications: Emphasizes nursing input at the governance level, potentially affecting recruitment and board selection processes for nursing leadership roles.
  • Budget and compliance: Possible costs associated with board restructuring, orientation, and ongoing governance participation; compliance timelines would depend on any enacted effective date.

Related information

  • HD 2328 replaces: The bill is listed as House Docket No. 2328 and is associated with the same subject matter.
  • Definitions: The bill references “acute-care hospitals” defined in section 25B; nursing homes are addressed separately in Section 71.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side outline of how the bill would modify current Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111 and compare it to existing governance provisions.

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

Sign in to ask a question.