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H 1502

An Act relative to home remodeling programs for seniors and people with disabilities

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

Establishes a state program run by EOHLC to fund accessibility modifications in the primary residences of seniors and people with disabilities, contingent on future appropriations.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 1502

Summary of H.1502: An Act relative to home remodeling programs for seniors and people with disabilities

Overview

H.1502 seeks to establish a state program to assist seniors and people with disabilities in making accessibility modifications to their primary residence. The bill would authorize the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to create and operate the program, contingent on appropriation, and would require regulatory rules to be issued governing the program’s requirements and standards.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve accessibility in the homes of seniors and individuals with disabilities to support aging in place and independent living.
  • Provide targeted assistance to modifications that remove barriers and enhance safety and livability in the primary residence.

Key Provisions

  • A new program: The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities shall establish and operate a program to provide assistance to seniors and persons with disabilities for accessibility modifications to their primary residence.
  • Regulatory framework: The Secretary of the EOHLC must promulgate rules and regulations to establish the program’s requirements and standards.
  • Funding condition: The program is authorized “subject to appropriation,” meaning funding will be provided through future legislative budgets rather than being guaranteed in the bill itself.
  • Legislative insertion: The provisions are added as Section 31 to Chapter 23B of the General Laws.

Administration and Funding

  • Administrator: EOHLC is designated to implement and run the program.
  • Regulatory role: The Secretary must issue regulations detailing eligibility, standards, processes, and administration.
  • Financing: Implementation depends on annual or future appropriations; no explicit funding amount is provided in the bill text.

Beneficiaries and Impact

  • Primary beneficiaries: Seniors and persons with disabilities seeking to modify their primary residence to improve accessibility.
  • Potential broader effects: May stimulate home accessibility improvements, support aging-in-place, and potentially reduce costs associated with home health care or facility-based care by enabling stay-at-home modifications.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Initial actions: Referred to the House Committee on Housing; Senate concurrence noted.
  • Committee action: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee (status as of November 6, 2025).
  • Hearing schedule: A hearing was planned for July 23, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM).
  • Scheduling updates: Reporting date extended to October 31, 2025.
  • Related bills: Similar matter previously filed as House Bill 3855 in the 2023-2024 session.
  • Legislative lineage: Referred to as House Docket No. 1846; House No. 1502.

Additional Context

  • The bill explicitly replaces or supersedes prior related measures via its current draft structure, and the program’s specifics (eligibility criteria, allowable modifications, grant amounts, and application processes) would be established through the forthcoming regulatory framework and annual appropriations.

This summary reflects the bill’s current text and status as filed, focusing on the substantive changes proposed and their practical implications for eligible residents.

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

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