An Act instructing the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to study the feasibility of absorbing oversight of all “memory care” assisted living facilities and units in the Commonwealth

This bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to study whether it should take over the regulation of all memory care units currently overseen by the Department of Elder Affairs. The legislation defines memory care units as assisted living facilities or sections dedicated to treating Alzheimer's, dementia, and other forms of permanent memory loss. Proponents argue that moving oversight to a public health agency would allow these facilities to be treated as medical units, potentially improving care standards and supervision. If the study finds the transfer feasible, the Department of Public Health would assume responsibility for enforcing regulations on these facilities. The bill requires the Department of Elder Affairs to share relevant data within 90 days and mandates that the final report be submitted to state officials and the public within two years.