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S 489

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2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Thomas Alexander

Creates a statewide volunteer program run by the EOEA to match volunteers with Massachusetts seniors for snow removal and basic home maintenance, funded by appropriation or gifts.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · S 489

Summary — S.489 (2025): Statewide Volunteer Program to Assist Seniors

Status: Referred to Health (introduced Feb 6, 2025).
Primary sponsor (MA Senate): Michael F. Rush. Filed Jan 13, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 525).

Note on metadata: the package submitted includes some inconsistent headings and committee referrals (and references to unrelated titles/sponsors). The bill text below governs the substance: it creates a statewide volunteer program to assist seniors.

Main purpose

To establish a statewide “adopt a senior” volunteer program administered by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) to coordinate volunteers who provide basic outdoor and home maintenance assistance (e.g., snow removal, property/home maintenance) to older residents.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 41 to chapter 19A of the Massachusetts General Laws.
  • Directs the Secretary of Elder Affairs, subject to appropriation or receipt of gifts, grants, and awards, to establish and run a statewide volunteer program to assist seniors.
  • Gives the department rulemaking authority to administer the program and requires the program to include (at minimum):
    1. Coordination among state agencies and other organizations that use community service/volunteerism.
    2. Establishment of a registry/registration system for volunteer personnel available to provide services.
    3. Procedures for matching/placing volunteers with seniors.
    4. Outreach to encourage corporate community partnership for support, advocacy, and promotion.
    5. A system of volunteer incentives to aid recruitment and registration.
  • Program implementation depends on appropriation or external funding (grants/gifts).

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: seniors in Massachusetts who need assistance with snow removal and basic property/home maintenance.
  • Implementer: Executive Office of Elder Affairs / Department created under chapter 19A.
  • Other stakeholders: volunteers and volunteer organizations, municipal governments, nonprofit partners, and corporate partners providing support or incentives.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Establishment is contingent on funding — either legislative appropriation or external grants/gifts.
  • The department may adopt implementing regulations; the bill does not specify timelines, background-check or liability provisions, or detailed funding levels.
  • Legislative actions recorded include introduction (Feb 6, 2025), passage in the Senate (Mar 5, 2025), delivery to the House/Assembly (Mar 5, 2025), and referral to the House committee on Health. A hearing was scheduled for May 12, 2025; committee reports and further referrals are noted in the docket.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Likely benefits: increased access to basic maintenance support for seniors, reduced seasonal hazards (e.g., snow), community engagement.
  • Operational considerations: program staffing and IT for a registry/matching system, volunteer screening and liability protections (not specified in bill), and sustaining incentive funding.
  • Recommendation: stakeholders should review implementing regulations and appropriation actions to assess program scale and safeguards.

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

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