State Legislative Endorsements

2025-2026 Legislative Agenda

February 27: View photos and more information on our Recruitment of Sponsors at the State House.

Dignity Dozen Plus One

Dignity Dozen Plus One (pdf) (with footnotes and additional information).

Visit Recruitment of Co-sponsors for the Dignity Dozen + One Bills 2025 for more information and photos of the event.

The “Dignity Dozen + 1” includes the priority legislation sponsored by Dignity Alliance Massachusetts aimed at addressing the needs and concerns of Massachusetts older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. The “Dignity Dozen + 1” aims a public spotlight on improvements for nursing home residents (7 bills), improvements for older adults and people with disabilities living in the community (4 bills), and reducing the harm caused by private equity ownership and investments in long-term care (2 bills).

1. An Act increasing the personal needs allowance for long term care residents. S887, S482, H1411
   Senator Joan Lovely and Rep. Thomas Stanley filed in House. Mark Montigny and Pat Jehlen filed an identical bill in the Senate.
   The bill seeks to increase the monthly amount withheld from a nursing home resident’s income to be used for personal needs (PNA) not covered by the nursing home where they reside. It has been set at $72.80 per month since FY 2008 and has not been increased to meet the buying power reduction caused by inflation. If inflation calculations had been included from FY 2008, the monthly allotment should be $113.42. The PNA would be increased to that amount and would be annually adjusted to account for inflation helping nursing home residents to live with dignity.
2. An Act relative to the administration of anti-psychotic or other psychotropic substances to nursing home residents. S1420, H2216
   Rep. Sally Kerans, House Sponsor; Sen. Bruce Tarr, Senate Sponsor
   This bill is intended to tighten restrictions on the prescribing of anti-psychotics and related drugs for nursing home residents. Each week, dangerous antipsychotic (AP) drugs are administered to approximately 250,000 nursing home residents, often without clinical justification. These medications pose significant risks for elderly individuals, including heart attacks, strokes, Parkinsonism, falls, and even death. Despite these severe adverse outcomes, too many nursing homes routinely use AP drugs to sedate residents living with dementia instead of providing the appropriate care and services that these residents need and are entitled to under federal law. In Massachusetts, an estimated 20.9% or more than one in five nursing home residents are given antipsychotic meds which is at least ten times the percentage of schizophrenia occurring in the population.
3. An Act requiring the certification of medical directors in skilled nursing facilities. S488, H797
   Sen. Jacob Oliveira, Senate Sponsor; and Rep. Steve Ultrino, House Sponsor
   Federal law requires every nursing home to have a designated medical director to offer professional medical guidance to the care of its residents. However, there is no requirement that such physicians be certified by national standards for providing geriatric care to nursing home residents and nursing home often fail to identify their medical directors and the amount of time they spend in their oversight role. This bill would require that within a reasonable time, all medical directors are certified and publicly identified so that they can be held accountable for safe, high quality resident care.
4. An Act relative to investments by entities of the Commonwealth. S721, H1221
   Rep. Sally Kerans, House Sponsor; Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Senate Sponsor
   Most legislators and other state government leaders are well aware of the shortcomings of the health care system, especially in long-term care facilities, when private equity firms become major players in the delivery of health care. Massachusetts has been a pioneer in prohibiting the investment of public pension and other funds in areas that violate the morals of its citizens consistent with the historic values articulated in the “City on a Hill” proclamation of Governor John Winthrop and the proper role of a “commonwealth,” Massachusetts law has prohibited state investments in Northern Ireland and South Africa which has helped to bring about historic change in those countries and in the manufacture, distribution and sale of firearms. It can be argued that cuts in funding and quality of health care systems acquired by private equity firms are at least as dangerous to life and health as the other areas where public investment is prohibited by state law. This bill would curtail any investment in state and local funds in private equity firms involved in health care.
5. An Act providing for energy assistance during the summer months S959, H1495
   Sen. Jo Comerford, Senate Sponsor; Rep. Mindy Domb and Rep. Steve Ultrino, House Sponsors.
   There can be little dispute that Massachusetts is now experiencing periods of extreme heat during the summer months, and that extreme heat conditions threaten the lives and health of older adults and people with disabilities disproportionate to the general population.  Massachusetts has long sought to help low-income residents deal with New England’s severe winter cold conditions through its LIHEAP program and other regulations of policies of state regulated utilities.  Other states, particularly in the South provide assistance to residents dealing with extreme heat, and Massachusetts needs to recognize this problem as well by protecting those most severely affected by excessive heat.  This bill would begin to address this by-product of climate change
6. An Act improving older adult tax relief to address the rising cost of home ownership S1953, H3252
   Sen. Julian Cyr, Senate Sponsor; Rep. Thomas Stanley, House Sponsor
   Massachusetts has been a leader in helping its older residents with the burden of taxation which often forces them to move to institutional care rather than to be able to afford to age in place in their homes. This issue has been eased by the Senior Citizen Circuit Breaker law which provides residents – both home owners and renters – with a refundable tax credit when property taxes, the property tax portion of rent, water and sewer bills exceed certain levels. However, the significant rising cost of home owner’s insurance, required by mortgage lenders and prudent for property owners without a mortgage has become a factor that also burdens our older residents whose income is limited. Including fifty percent of the cost of home owner’s insurance in the calculations for the Circuit Breaker law would ease this burden on a growing part of our population.
7. An Act to establish the Office of Older Adult Advocate S481, H796
   Sen. Paul Mark, Senate Sponsor, Rep. Steve Ultrino, House Sponsor
   The concerns of older adults extend well beyond the programs and policies administered by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence (formerly Elder Affairs). Furthermore, the failure of several recent administrations to treat the top state official responsible of older adult programs and protections is a full member of the Governor’s Cabinet (as provided in the General Laws), and the subordinate role of the Secretary of Aging and Independence to the Secretary of Health and Human Services in budget and policy matters is an affront to the growing population of older adults in Massachusetts – now growing faster than the number of new births – leaves older adults at a major disadvantage in decision made at the highest level of state government that affect their lives. The Legislature has recognized this gap in areas dealing with children and veterans, but not regarding the needs and concerns of older adults. Even if the Healey Administration invited the Secretary of Aging and Independence to participate as an equal partner in Cabinet meetings, the needs of older adults extend to areas beyond that agency to other areas of state government, such as affordable and accessible housing, transportation, consumer affairs, public health, the economy and jobs. This bill, modelled on the recently enacted Veterans Advocate law, would provide an independent voice to focus on the needs of our older citizens. There has been an Office of the Child Advocate for several years, as well, demonstrating the need for more oversight.
8. An Act to improve transparency and accountability for residents of long-term care. S479
   An Act relative to transparent name changes in nursing facilities H773
   Sen. Joan Lovely, Senate Sponsor; no comparable House Sponsor (although Sally Kerans is filing a bill on name changes using section of this bill)
   The enactment of Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 was a major milestone in the Commonwealth’s efforts to improve transparency and accountability in long-term care, especially for nursing home and assisted living residents. However, there are additional steps that should be taken to make care for older adults and people with disabilities even more transparent and accountable. This bill would further strengthen long-term care in Massachusetts for many of our most vulnerable citizens and the staff who care for them. We applaud the progress made to date to improve long-term care, but that applause could be more resounding with these few additional improvements.
9. An Act to Strengthen the Long-Term Care workforce and capital trust fund. S493, H761
   Senator Bruce Tarr, Senate Sponsor; Rep. Manny Cruz, House Sponsor
   This bill expands the advisory board for the trust fund to include representatives of consumer advocates, increases transparency by making non-government board members subject to the state’s conflict of interest law, and prioritizes investments in small homes and single occupancy rooms. Once these priority investments are substantial achieved, other priorities can be proposed.
10. An Act improving continuity of care for Mass Health members with chronic conditions S844, H1406
    Sen. Brendan Crighton, Senate Sponsor; Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, House Sponsor.
    What this proposed legislation is intended to do: Section 1: For a set of “community long-term care services” (Adult Day Health, Adult Foster Care, Day Habilitation, Home Health Aide, PCA, and 1915(c) services itemized in the Frail Elder Waiver (but not limited to the Frail Elder Waiver), to extend and Section 2: Adds further clarification to the current ASAP statute, specifying the duty of “Service Authorization”, when authorized by an ASAP nurse, satisfies prior authorization requirements for community long-term care services when the ASAP is not performing as a direct service provider (further specifying that this clarification extends to the SCO program). This bill puts the topic of Prior Authorization as delay to service into the public square for 2025-2026.
    States that have been identified MN, VT, and NH have recently passed laws intended to rationalize the application of Prior Authorization to LTSS. This bill is modeled on several draft provisions from the VT legislation that passed earlier in 2024.
11. An Act promoting infection prevention and privacy for residents of nursing homes S480, H795
    Sen. Joan Lovely, Senate Sponsor; Rep. Jeffrey Turco, House Sponsor
    This bill would set state policy as requiring nursing homes to provide single-occupancy rooms for all residents (although residents could approve two persons in case of spouses) to provide greater privacy and reduce infections. Massachusetts currently requires not more than two residents per room, although 31 nursing homes have sued the Department of Public Health suspending full enforcement of the two-person per room regulation. The case has been stalled for nearly three years. In the meantime, reports are now surfacing that even nursing homes that accepted the regulation and moved to two residents per room, are now reverting to four or more residents per room in an effort to increase profits. Substantial research has documented the importance of single rooms for residents of nursing homes.
12. An Act clarifying responsibility for policy and budgetary decision-making in nursing homes. S496, H794
    Sen. John Velis; Rep. Jeffrey Turco, House Sponsor.
    Finally, the buck for poor nursing home care will stop here! No longer will, “I was just following orders from corporate,” be acceptable! This bill is intended to clarify that the top management in nursing homes is responsible for policy and budgetary decisions that impact quality and safety of resident care and that they, or even the owners of nursing homes, will be held accountable when budgets and staffing are insufficient to provide safe, high quality resident care based on the needs of individual resident care plans. The concept is based on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision in Commonwealth v. Clinton which found management of the Holyoke Soldiers Home responsible for policy decisions made during COVID.
13. An Act protecting the rights of older adults and people with disabilities S492, H793
    Senator Bruce Tarr, Senate Sponsor; Rep. Jeffrey Turco, House Sponsor
    Despite improvements brought about by the federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act and state laws and regulations, residents of nursing homes in Massachusetts have fewer rights and protections than clients of the Department of Mental Health and Department of Social Services. Even when the generic theme of some rights is comparable, the regulations lack the specificity provided in the other agencies. The result is that Massachusetts residents of nursing homes have less dignity, independence, choice and protection than older adults or people with disabilities who are DMH and DSS clients In addition to all legal rights set forth in federal44 and state law, residents of nursing facilities that are licensed or regulated by the Department of Public Health shall have all of the rights equal to those afforded to people with disabilities in facilities or programs operated or funded by the Departments of Mental Health and Disability Services. Like other rights and provisions of federal45 and state,46 law designed to protect nursing facility residents, may be enforced in a civil action brought pursuant to G.L. 93A.

Dignity Half Dozen

Download the Dignity Alliance MA Half Dozen (pdf).

The Dignity Half-Dozen is a list of bills filed by organizations which align closely with Dignity Alliance’s mission and core values. These bills are endorsed by Dignity Alliance and we plan to advocate, provide testimony at legislative hearings and include them among our legislative priorities.

1. S154, H253 – An Act establishing guardians as providers of medical care to support the rights of incapacitated persons – Sponsored by Sen. Joan Lovely and Rep. Sally Kerans for the Guardianship Institute.  Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.
2. S153, H277 – An Act relative to cueing and supervision in the PCA program. Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.
3. S210 – An Act expanding wheelchair warranty protections for consumers with disabilities.  Sponsored by Sen. John Cronin. Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. H1278 – An Act relative to wheelchair repair requirements and consumer protection. Rep; James O’Day.  Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.
4. S153, H261 – An Act authorizing supported decision-making agreements for certain adults.  Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Sally Kerans. Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.
5. S2197, H3299 – An Act to modernize the open meeting law Sen. Jacob Olivier/Rep. Antonio Cabral. Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
6. S1733 – An Act for a more accessible Massachusetts, Sen. Michael Moore. Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

More DignityMA Endorsements

DignityMA members have also endorsed the following bills. Many are endorsed or initiated by our partners. Download the April list of bills and endorsers (pdf).

1. S.1938 / H.3159 An Act Supporting Family Caregivers filed by AARP
   Senate Sponsor: Joanne M. Comerford
   House Sponsors: Michael P. Kushmerek , David M. Rogers
   The Act will provide family caregivers with a variety of supports including an income tax credit to cover expenses incurred by a taxpayer for the care and support of a qualifying family member; respite care vouchers; unemployment insurance eligibility; addresses workplace discrimination; and establishes a permanent commission to focus on family caregiving needs.
2. S.707 / H.1247 An Act relative to preventing fraud and establishing regulations on certain currencies – AARP
   Senate Sponsor: John J. Cronin
   House Sponsors: Kate Lipper-Garabedian , Thomas M. Stanley
   The Act would strengthen consumer protections in Massachusetts, already some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. The legislation would prevent Massachusetts residents from losing their savings to criminals through crypto currency kiosk and ATMs. These measures include licensing cryptocurrency ATM operators, imposing daily transaction limits to mitigate risks, posting visible fraud warning notices with steps to take if fraudulent activity is suspected, creating a special commission to study blockchain technology for better regulation and benefits, and ensuring residents have access to educational materials to manage their finances and safeguard their financial well-being.
3. S.2419 / H.3804 – An Act to Improve Pedestrian Safety – AARP
   Senate Sponsor: Mark, Paul W.
   House Sponsor: Vitolo, Tommy
   To improve safety, this legislation would require municipalities to assess their city or town for areas where vulnerable pedestrians who need more time to cross the street are most likely to be. After that assessment, local governments would be required to account for people needing more time to cross the street safely and adjust their crossing signals accordingly.
4. S.474 / H.791 – An Act relative to assisted living and the frail elder waiver.
   Senate Sponsor: Patricia D. Jehlen
   House Sponsor: Thomas M. Stanley
   This bill directs the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to pursue federal approval for new Medicaid options that would allow eligible older adults to choose assisted living residences instead of nursing homes. Specifically, the bill requires the state to submit applications for state plan amendments or waivers within 90 days of the act’s effective date to establish an assisted living service for Medicaid-qualifying individuals at risk of nursing home placement. The proposed service must have a daily rate that does not exceed 80% of equivalent institutional care costs and must use payment methodologies to ensure equal economic access. Within 120 days, the office must report to legislative committees on the status of these applications, exploring three potential approaches: amending the existing frail elder waiver, creating a new home and community-based services waiver, or enabling assisted living through managed care “in lieu of services” options, drawing inspiration from Medicaid programs in the District of Columbia, Ohio, and California. Additionally, within 180 days, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence must report on current barriers preventing MassHealth members from accessing assisted living residences, with particular attention to residents in qualified census tracts or difficult development areas.
5. S.470 / H.789 – An Act to improve home care
   Senate Sponsor: Patricia D. Jehlen
   House Sponsor: Thomas M. Stanley
   The bills establish licensing and standards for home care agencies, oversight, and accountability of owners, operators and staff. Needs to be amended in lines113, 233, 248 to replace “elder affairs,” with “aging and independence. The proposed reform are essential to protect consumers and caregivers in home care and to provide accountability, transparency and appropriate oversight. Dignity Alliance also takes this opportunity to suggest that both the current and proposed state budget substantially underfund the home care account, and we have communicated this to both the Administration and the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
6. S.473 / H.778 – An Act relative to the commission on LGBTQ aging
   Senate Sponsor: Patricia D. Jehlen
   House Sponsors: Kate Lipper-Garabedian , Thomas M. Stanley
   The bills create a permanent commission on older gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning adults and their caregivers. Needs to be amended in lines 6 and 8 to replace “elder affairs” with “aging and independence.”  This bill is important in view of the potential for discrimination against older adults who, because of their treatment when younger, often do not have the support network that exist, despite some external threats, even today. With regard to this legislation, it should be noted that, according an article by Kay Lazar in the Boston Globe (3/23/2025) the state is not tracking compliance with Mass. General Laws c.111 § 72GG, Prohibiting discrimination against residents on the basis of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, intersex status, or HIV status; long-term care facilities; notice; care for transgender residents; LGBTQI inclusion in programming; rules and regulations; training,  Perhaps this bill should be amended requiring DPH to report annually on compliance.
7. S.471/ H.777 – An Act supporting seniors’ financial stability
   Senate Sponsor: Patricia D. Jehlen
   House Sponsors: Kate Lipper-Garabedian , Thomas M. Stanley
   The bills require the State Treasurer to establish a program for financial education for older adults and periodically update. Needs to be amended in line 5 to replace “elder affairs’ with “aging and independence. Older adults are frequent targets of scammers and many do not have the life experience important to manage personal finances as they age.
8. S.467 / H.765 – An Act relative to councils on aging
   Senate Sponsor: Barry R. Finegold
   House Sponsors: Kate Donaghue , Christine P. Barber
   The bills update terms and clarifies that the director hires needed staff, council is advisory. The terms recommended in the proposed bills more accurately describe the role of councils on aging today.
9. S.484 – An Act relative to reserving beds in nursing home during certain leaves of absence
   Senate Sponsor: Mark C. Montigny
   The bill makes permanent the right of residents to take leaves of absence from a nursing home for health and personal reasons. Currently, the Legislature needs to include the leave of absence in the annual budget. This bill will bring the executive branch into harmony with the legislature demonstrating that both support this important right for older adults in nursing homes so that the leave will be factored into budget development from the outset of the process.
10. S.903 / H.1412 – An Act to improve access to post-acute care; with the following improvements
    Senate Sponsor: Pavel M. Payano
    House Sponsor: Thomas M. Stanley
    DignityMA appreciates the attention Mass. Hospital Association has put in the bill relative to the issue of guardianship services. The Chair suggested that the bill include the text of S154/.253 An Act establishing guardians as providers of medical care to support the rights of incapacitated persons. We believe that the provisions in this legislation would increase the availability of those who would serve as guardians.
    DignityMA also recommends that Section 1, of S.903 be amended in line 11 after the term “independent living,” by adding “and hospital at home:”  Additionally, DignityMA recommends that Section7 be amended in line 52, by inserting after the term “Behavioral Health Systems,” the terms,  “Mass Aging Access” (which represents home care providers) and “Dignity Alliance Massachusetts,” which represents older adult and people with disabilities as consumers. While the bill does mention “other stakeholder groups,” it is less likely that other groups will be included by Health and Human Services if they are not specifically mentions