H 654 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act relative to nursing homes

This bill updates state regulations for nursing homes in Massachusetts by establishing new minimum standards for bedroom size and layout. It requires single-occupancy rooms to be at least 125 square feet and multiple-occupancy rooms to provide at least 90 square feet per bed, while also mandating specific distances between beds and walls to ensure adequate space. The law includes exemptions for facilities that were already licensed before the act takes effect, meaning these new rules will not immediately apply to existing homes. These requirements are scheduled to become fully enforceable on January 1, 2025, giving operators time to make necessary adjustments.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Apr 29, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Elder Affairs
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Tom Walsh
Tom Walsh
DDemocratic
MA
12th Essex