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H 762

An Act relative to home care services

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Cusack

Expands Massachusetts home care to ALS patients regardless of age if otherwise eligible; updates 651 CMR 3.00 and directs agencies to implement.

Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 762

Summary of House Bill H.762: An Act relative to home care services

This bill would expand access to home care program services for people diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by removing age restrictions, so ALS patients are eligible for home care services regardless of age if they meet other program requirements.

Purpose and intent

  • To ensure ALS patients receive Massachusetts home care services without an age-based eligibility barrier.
  • To align home care eligibility with the needs of individuals diagnosed with ALS who are otherwise eligible for services.

Key provisions

  • Amendment to 651 CMR 3.00 (Massachusetts home care regulations): The executive office of elder affairs must amend the regulations so that home care program services are available to persons diagnosed with ALS regardless of age, provided they are otherwise eligible.
  • Regulatory action: The Secretary for Health and Human Services must ensure the relevant agencies under her purview promulgate regulations as necessary to implement the act.

Regulatory and implementation framework

  • Agency authority: The executive office of elder affairs would act under section 4 of chapter 19A of the Massachusetts General Laws.
  • Regulatory update: The act requires updating the Massachusetts home care regulations (651 CMR 3.00) to reflect ALS-agnostic age eligibility.
  • Implementation outcome: Agencies under the Secretary’s purview would promulgate any additional regulations or administrative steps needed to execute the expanded eligibility.

Who is affected

  • ALS patients: Individuals diagnosed with ALS who are otherwise eligible for home care services would gain access independent of age.
  • Home care programs and providers: Must administer services to ALS patients meeting other eligibility criteria, per the amended regulations.
  • State agencies and officials: Specifically the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and related health and human services agencies responsible for implementing home care regulations.

Legislative history and status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Initial referral: to the Committee on Elder Affairs (Feb 27, 2025).
  • Hearing: scheduled for May 12, 2025.
  • Subsequent actions: Referred to Aging and Independence (June 27, 2025); reported favorably by committee as changed and referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing (August 28, 2025).
  • Related bill: HD 3127 (the replacement measure).

Potential impact

  • Access and equity: Removes age as a barrier for ALS patients to receive home care services, potentially improving quality of life and care continuity.
  • Regulatory process: Requires regulatory amendments and coordination across multiple state agencies to implement.
  • Costs and funding: Not specified in the text; expanded eligibility could affect state program expenditures, enrollment, and service utilization, pending regulatory rules and financing decisions.

Notes: The summary reflects the bill text and the legislative actions listed.

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

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