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H 4305

An Act relative to Massachusetts home care eligibility

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Expands Massachusetts home care by removing age-based limits for HIV/AIDS patients who meet all other eligibility rules, broadening access beyond the elderly.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4305

Summary: H. 4305 — An Act relative to Massachusetts home care eligibility

Overview

H. 4305, introduced July 28, 2025, would expand access to Massachusetts home care services by removing age-based eligibility barriers for people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, so long as they meet other program requirements. The bill was reported favorably by the House committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

What the bill would do

  • Amend the Massachusetts home care regulations (651 CMR 3.00) to require that home care program services be made available to persons diagnosed with HIV or AIDS regardless of age, provided they are otherwise eligible.
  • Task the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that the relevant agencies under her purview promulgate regulations necessary to implement the change.
  • Ground the regulatory changes in authority granted in section 4 of Chapter 19A of the Massachusetts General Laws.

Key provisions

  • Scope: Applies to Home Care Program services administered by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) and related agencies under the health and human services umbrella.
  • Eligibility: An HIV/AIDS diagnosis would no longer be an age-based exclusion factor; individuals must still meet existing eligibility criteria other than age.
  • Regulation: The EOEA (and associated agencies) must update regulations (651 CMR 3.00) and issue implementing regulations as needed to effectuate the expanded eligibility.

Affected populations and entities

  • Primary beneficiaries: Individuals diagnosed with HIV or AIDS who are otherwise eligible for home care services, including those who are not elderly.
  • Implementing bodies: Executive Office of Elder Affairs, along with other agencies under the Secretary of Health and Human Services, which would promulgate and enforce the necessary regulations.

Implementation and timeline

  • Regulatory route: Changes would be implemented through amendments to 651 CMR 3.00, with implementing regulations promulgated by EOEA and related agencies.
  • Legislative process: After favorable committee report, the bill moves to House Ways and Means for potential consideration of fiscal year funding and further action. No explicit funding authorization is included in the bill text.

Fiscal considerations

  • The bill does not include a specific appropriation or cost estimate.
  • Expanded eligibility could have budgetary implications for the Home Care Program and related services; any cost impacts would likely be assessed during future budget or regulatory analyses by Ways and Means.

Status and next steps

  • Status: Reported favorably by the Committee on Aging and Independence; referred to House Ways and Means.
  • Next steps: Possible consideration by Ways and Means and subsequently the full House, Senate, and any conference process, along with associated budgetary decisions.

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

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