Massachusetts Life Care Residents' Association
Click/tap here for 2024 MLCRA Annual Meeting Information
Massachusetts State House - Jean Stringham, Lasell Village
LEGISLATION, ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATION​
​
1. How to Contact Your Massachusetts State Legislators
​
Click/tap here for a list of legislators for MLCRA Communities.
​​
Click/tap on the link following to find the name and contact information for your State Senator and your State Representative https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator.
​
2. The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs of the Massachusetts Legislature.
The Committee considers legislative issues concerning seniors. Click/tap here to see the Committee membership and other information.
​
3. The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing of the Massachusetts Legislature.
The Committee considers issues concerning direct funding of health care programs and fiscal matters relating to health care policy. Click/tap here to see the Committee membership and other information.
​
4. Massachusetts CCRC Residents’ Rights Law
This law gives Continuing Care Retirement Community residents the right to establish a Residents Association and to receive information about the organization, operation and finances of their communities. Click/tap here for further information and for the text of the law.
5. Pending Bills Supported by MLCRA
MLCRA supports two proposed acts in the Massachusetts Legislature:
An Act relative to disclosing continuing care retirement community entrance fees. (H635) This bill aims to enhance transparency of the fees charged by Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) in Massachusetts. These communities generally require an upfront “entrance fee” from new residents besides a monthly fee to cover housing, services and future care.
The bill necessitates that the CCRC provider furnish a document titled "Disclosure of Entrance Fee Refund" that would clearly explain how much of the entrance fee would be refunded to the resident under different circumstances like if they decide to leave the facility or upon their death. The prospective resident must sign this statement before paying the full entrance fee to the provider.
The bill is sponsored by Representative Kay Khan and presently sits with the House Ways and Means Committee.
The second bill would allow some basic health care services to be provided in Assisted Living residences. Massachusetts law does not currently permit Assisted Living facilities to provide medical services.
Click/tap here for more information and for links to the texts of the bills.
​
MLCRA has submitted testimony to the Joint Committee on Elder affairs and Joint Committee on Health Care Financing for both of these bills:
-
Click/tap here for testimony on entrance fee refund policy.
-
Click/tap here for testimony on basic health care services to be provided in Assisted Living residences.
​
6. Massachusetts Legislative Process.
​​
To learn more about how the MA Legislature works click/tap here.