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Bill

S 15

Habitual Offender Moped Exemption

2025-2026 Regular Session

Requires nursing homes to designate dedicated body storage space, safeguarding dignity and privacy for families and standardizing transfers to funeral homes.

Referred to Committee on Transportation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 15

Summary — S.15 (2025)

Title: Requires nursing homes to designate dedicated storage spaces for the storage of the bodies of deceased persons
Primary sponsor: Sen. James Skoufis; Cosponsor: Sen. Leroy Comrie
Status: Substituted by A1365A (6/11/2025) — see companion A1365/A1365A for enacted or current text

Purpose and intent

S.15 is intended to ensure that nursing homes in Massachusetts set aside specific, dedicated space for holding the bodies of residents who die on the premises. The stated aim in the bill title is to protect the dignity of deceased residents, provide privacy for families, and establish consistent facility practices for short‑term storage before transfer to a funeral home or medical examiner.

Key provision (from bill title)

  • Requires nursing homes to designate a dedicated storage area for the bodies of deceased persons.

Note: The version of the bill text supplied here is not the substantive statutory language (it contains unrelated joint rules / PDF data). The summary above is therefore based on the bill title and legislative record. For precise statutory requirements (e.g., refrigeration, size or equipment standards, time limits, recordkeeping, notice and notification procedures, infection‑control measures, licensing or inspection consequences, or penalties), consult the substitute A1365A or the final enacted text.

Who would be affected

  • Nursing homes and long‑term care facilities operating in Massachusetts (facility operators, administrators).
  • Residents and their families (privacy, dignity, and handling of remains).
  • Funeral homes and medical examiners (logistics of transfer and coordination).
  • State regulators and licensing agencies (inspection, compliance oversight).
  • Potentially local building/health authorities if physical modifications are required.

Legislative actions and timeline highlights

  • Introduced: February 6, 2025. Referred to Health (1/8/2025); later reported and committed to Finance; discharged and committed to Rules; ordered to third reading.
  • Multiple floor amendments considered Feb 12–13, 2025 (some adopted, many rejected); reprinted as amended (S18).
  • Amendment activity includes adoption of Amendments #5, #15, #17, #20, #26, among others (see legislative docket).
  • Substituted by A1365A on June 11, 2025 — the companion/house substitute should be reviewed for the operative language.

Potential impacts (practical considerations)

  • Facilities may need to allocate or renovate space, install refrigeration, or adopt protocols—leading to capital and operating costs.
  • May improve dignity and privacy for decedents and families and standardize handling of deaths in facilities.
  • Enforcement would likely fall to state health licensing/inspection programs; operational details will determine cost and compliance burden.

Next steps / Where to find the full text

Because S.15 was substituted by A1365A, review A1365/A1365A for the final statutory language and implementation details (standards, timelines, enforcement). The Massachusetts General Court website provides bill text, amendments, and status updates.

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

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